tell a story verb 3tell-a-story adjective 2forms 3 verb3 •To communicate a story in some way. •(figurative) To display qualities which hint at or convey a past or history which is not explicitly told.Every person's eyes tell their own story.The bullet holes in the walls of these buildings tell a story of a more tumultuous time... •To lie; to tell a lie tell-a-story adjective2 •Resembling or characteristic of the act or practice of telling a story. •Of a straightforward and narrative style. formstold a story · telling a story · tells a story