add vs tell

add and tell both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
add	No	No	Yes	No
tell	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, tell is a hypernym of add; that is, tell is a word with a broader meaning than add:

Other hypernyms of add include say, state.

add (verb)	tell (verb)
make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of	discern or comprehend
make an addition by combining numbers	mark as different
determine the sum of	let something be known
state or say further	narrate or give a detailed account of
bestow a quality on	give instructions to or direct somebody to do something with authority
constitute an addition	give evidence
	express in words
	inform positively and with certainty and confidence