hint

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/hɪnt/
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An indirect clue, a helpful tip, a very small trace of something, or the act of suggesting without saying fully.
Practice using hint in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • She dropped a hint that she wanted to leave early.
  • His reply hinted that the plan had changed.
  • There was a hint of autumn in the cool air.
  • The tea tasted of mint with a faint hint of lemon.
  • The paint has a hint of blue in bright light.

Similar words

allude
advice
tinge
insinuate
clue
whiff
suggestion
intimate
intimation
recommendation

Meanings

Indirect suggestion or clue

noun
communication
neutral
Something said, done, or noticed that points toward an idea, answer, wish, or fact without stating it directly.

Examples

  • She dropped a hint that she wanted to leave early.
  • The puzzle offered one hint before revealing the answer.
  • His nervous laugh was a hint that something was wrong.
  • The detective found a useful hint in the diary.
  • The letter gave no hint of where he had gone.

Similar words

clue
suggestion
indication
cue
signal
intimation
inkling

Helpful tip

noun
advice
neutral
A small piece of practical advice that helps with a task, problem, or decision.

Examples

  • The book includes handy hints for saving water.
  • A cooking hint at the bottom explains how to stop the sauce splitting.
  • The game gives one free hint per level.
  • The tutor offered a hint about solving the equation.
  • The travel guide has practical hints for packing light.

Similar words

tip
advice
pointer
suggestion
guidance
recommendation

Very small amount

noun
everyday
neutral
A slight trace or barely noticeable amount of something, often a taste, smell, feeling, color, or sign.

Examples

  • The soup had a hint of garlic.
  • There was a hint of autumn in the cool air.
  • Her voice carried a hint of doubt.
  • The paint has a hint of blue in bright light.
  • The tea tasted of mint with a faint hint of lemon.

Similar words

trace
touch
suggestion
tinge
dash
note
whiff

Suggest indirectly

verb
communication
neutral
To show or suggest something indirectly, without saying it fully or openly.

Examples

  • She hinted that she might apply for the job.
  • The article hinted at corruption in the department.
  • His reply hinted that the plan had changed.
  • The trailer hints at a darker story than the poster suggests.
  • The coach hinted about a new signing after the match.

Similar words

suggest
imply
indicate
allude
intimate
insinuate
signal

Etymology

Of uncertain origin, probably an alteration of obsolete hent, an act of seizing, with the indirect-suggestion sense recorded from the early seventeenth century.

FAQ

What does hint mean?

Hint can mean an indirect clue, a helpful tip, a very small amount, or the act of suggesting something indirectly.

What does a hint of mean?

A hint of means a very small, barely noticeable amount, as in a hint of garlic.

Is a hint of sugar correct?

A hint of sugar is correct when it means a tiny amount of sugar.

What does hint at mean?

To hint at something means to suggest it indirectly without stating it fully.

What does take a hint mean?

To take a hint means to understand an indirect message and act on it.

What is the past tense of hint?

The past tense of hint is hinted.

What are synonyms for hint?

Common synonyms include clue, suggestion, tip, indication, trace, and cue.

What is the origin of hint?

The origin of hint is uncertain, but it is probably related to obsolete hent, an act of seizing.

Comments & contributions

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Tawny Iguana
Jul 8
my family drops hints with the subtlety of a brick lol
0
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Contribution
Silver Loon
Jun 28
A hint of an accent is a normal phrase and it is not rude by itself. It means slight, like you can hear maybe where someone is from but it is not strong.
2
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Hidden Lynx
Jun 27
In software, a hint is often advice the system may ignore. SQL optimizer hints and font hinting are not little social clues, more like extra guidance for how to process something.
2
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Jovial Kingfisher
Jun 25
Drop hints feels intentional. If your friend leaves a ring catalog open on purpose, they are dropping hints. If you just notice they sound tired, that is more like there was a hint of tiredness in their voice.
4
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Perky Gull
Jun 24
Take a hint is usually a bit pointed. If someone says cant you take a hint?, they are already annoyed, or they think you should have noticed they wanted you to stop.
5
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Spry Gazelle
Jun 25
also why it shows up so much around unwanted flirting
1
Contribution
Jovial Gull
Jun 14
If you are asking a person for help, dont say hint me the answer. Say can you give me a hint? or just any hint? Game buttons can say show hint because that is button language, but hint me sounds like an app command or a joke.
7
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Quiet Giraffe
Jun 19
yeah, hint me is understandable but it has that nonnative smell right away
1
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