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AI tell
also AI writing tells
Definition of AI tell
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: a word, phrase, or habit of style that suggests a piece of writing was produced by AI, because models use it far more often than people do
- Every paragraph ended with 'and that matters', a classic AI tell.
- She edited out the AI tells before sending the newsletter, but the structure still felt machine-made.
Two meanings, one word
In everyday English
(tell) an unconscious habit, especially in poker, that gives away what a player is thinking.
In AI
A word, phrase, or habit of style that suggests a piece of writing was produced by AI, because models use it far more often than people do.
Origin & history
Borrowed from poker slang. It spread as people learned to spot chatbot habits; in October 2026 an analysis reported in TechCrunch measured phrases that leading models used dozens to over a hundred times more often than human writers.
Test yourself
Which of these is the meaning of AI tell?
Cite this entry
"AI tell." AI Dictionary, Dadgogo, https://dadgogo.com/dictionary/ai-tell/. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.