tale

/teɪl/

/teɪl/

Other forms: tales

A tale is a story, especially one that's full of creative embellishments. You can read a tale from a book, or tell a bedtime tale to the kids you're babysitting.

Tales can be true or fictional, but they generally consist of a narrative, with a beginning and an end, made more interesting and exciting with vivid details. Some tales are meant to teach specific lessons (like your family's history or your community's values), while others simply relay a funny story. Tale can also mean "lie," like when your mom asks, "You're not telling a tale, are you?"

Definitions of tale

1. noun

   a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
   synonyms: narration, narrative, story

   examples:

   Canterbury Tales

   an uncompleted series of tales written after 1387 by Geoffrey Chaucer

   types:

   tearjerker

   an excessively sentimental narrative

   tall tale

   an improbable (unusual or incredible or fanciful) story

   folk tale, folktale

   a tale circulated by word of mouth among the common folk

   sob story, sob stuff

   a sentimental story (or drama) of personal distress; designed to arouse sympathy

   fairy story, fairy tale, fairytale

   a children's story involving imaginary, magical or fantastical beings or elements

   nursery rhyme

   a tale in rhymed verse for children

   type of:

   content, message, subject matter, substance

   what a communication that is about something is about
2. noun

   a trivial lie
   synonyms: fib, story, taradiddle, tarradiddle

   types:

   cock-and-bull story, fairy story, fairy tale, fairytale, song and dance

   an interesting but highly implausible story; often told as an excuse

   type of:

   lie, prevarication

   a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth