teller
TEL-ler
/ˈtɛlər/
A person whose job is to receive and pay out money in a bank.
In some contexts, 'teller' can refer to someone who tells stories, but in banking, it's exclusively the bank employee.
The story behind the word. The word 'teller' comes from the Old English verb 'tellan', which meant 'to count, reckon, or relate'. Originally, a teller was someone who counted money or kept accounts. While 'tell' now mostly means 'to narrate', its financial sense lives on in the bank teller, who counts your cash!
Word relationships
- cashier: A cashier typically works in a retail setting; a teller works in a bank.
- clerk: A clerk is a general office worker; a teller has specific duties related to money transactions.
Commonly confused with
- cashier: A 'teller' works in a bank, handling deposits and withdrawals. A 'cashier' typically works in a retail store, handling sales transactions.
Word family
- tell (verb): to say something to someone; to count or reckon (archaic).
Collocations
- bank teller
- head teller
Example sentences
- "The teller efficiently processed her deposit and answered her questions about the account balance." Interacting with bank staff.
- "With the rise of ATMs, many people interact less frequently with a human teller." Automated services.
Memory hook
A bank TELLER will TELL you how much money you have after they count it. TELL you the count
When not to use
Do not use 'teller' for a general cashier in a store; it's specific to banks.
Fun facts
- The word 'teller' is related to 'tale' (a story) and 'talk', all stemming from the idea of recounting or relating information.
Related words
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