1. people who reveal secrets or report on others’ wrongdoing
Usage: often used to describe children who inform on their peers
2. signs or indicators that reveal information about something
3. devices that show the position or movement of something
Usage: nautical; technical

Examples

• The teacher didn’t appreciate the telltales who constantly reported their classmates’ minor infractions.
• Nobody likes telltales who can’t keep secrets.
• The muddy footprints were telltales of where the children had been playing.
• Dark clouds are telltales of an approaching storm.
• The sailor checked the telltales on the sail to determine wind direction.
• These small flags serve as telltales for wind patterns.
• The detective looked for telltales that might reveal the suspect’s identity.