51Թ

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View synonyms for

hint

[hint]

noun

  1. an indirect, covert, or helpful suggestion; clue.

    Give me a hint as to his identity.

    Synonyms: , , , , ,
  2. a very slight or hardly noticeable amount; soupçon.

    a hint of garlic in the salad dressing.

  3. perceived indication or suggestion; note; intimation.

    a hint of spring in the air.

  4. Obsolete.an occasion or opportunity.



verb (used with object)

  1. to give a hint of.

    gray skies hinting a possible snowfall.

    Synonyms:
    Antonyms: ,

verb (used without object)

  1. to make indirect suggestion or allusion; subtly imply (usually followed byat ).

    The article hinted at corruption in the mayor's office.

hint

/ ɪԳ /

noun

  1. a suggestion or implication given in an indirect or subtle manner

    he dropped a hint

  2. a helpful piece of advice or practical suggestion

  3. a small amount; trace

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to suggest or imply indirectly

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • hinter noun
  • unhinted adjective
  • ˈ󾱲ԳپԲ adverb
  • ˈ󾱲Գٱ noun
  • ˈ󾱲ԳپԲ noun
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of hint1

First recorded in 1595–1605; (noun) originally, “opportunity, occasion,” apparently variant of obsolete hent “grasp, act of seizing,” derivative of the verb: “to grasp, take,” Middle English henten, Old English hentan; (verb) derivative of the noun
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of hint1

C17: of uncertain origin
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Idioms and Phrases

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Synonym Study

Hint, intimate, insinuate, suggest denote the conveying of an idea to the mind indirectly or without full or explicit statement. To hint is to convey an idea covertly or indirectly, but intelligibly: to hint that one would like a certain present; to hint that bits of gossip might be true. To intimate is to give a barely perceptible hint, often with the purpose of influencing action: to intimate that something may be possible. To insinuate is to hint artfully, often at what one would not dare to say directly: to insinuate something against someone's reputation. Suggest denotes particularly recalling something to the mind or starting a new train of thought by means of association of ideas: The name doesn't suggest anything to me.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Australia's sledging perhaps masked some of their own struggles as they build towards hosting an Ashes series against England, with captain Pat Cummins hinting changes could be afoot for a forthcoming tour to West Indies.

From

With plenty of grass, trees, dirt and hints of scatological delights in the air, they were in dog paradise.

From

Australia - the only other potential candidate - decided not to enter the running, hinting it was futile to do so after being given less than a month by Fifa to mount a challenge.

From

Republicans have begun threatening reprisals against outspoken Democrats, including Bass, with some hinting at criminal prosecution.

From

All seven BTS members are set to be discharged from the military by the end of this month and their agency Hybe has hinted at a reunion.

From

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When To Use

What does hint mean?



A hint is an indirect, disguised, or helpful suggestion. In other words, it’s a clue, as in Can you just give me a hint about what my birthday present is?



A hint that suggests something can be planned or unplanned, and it can even be hidden using language that only some parties may understand. A hint is usually something you see, hear, or read.



Hint can also mean a slightly noticeable amount of, such as with a taste or a smell, as in I taste a hint of fennel in this sausage.



To hint means to give a hint, as in Our teacher hinted that we might not have to take a final exam, but they wouldn’t say for sure.



To hint also means to imply something rather than stating it directly, as in The ending hinted at a sequel coming but never said it outright.



Example: I’ll never figure out the puzzle if you don’t give me a hint.

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