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hint
/hɪnt/
a slight or indirect suggestion
She gave me a hint about the surprise party.
She provided a subtle clue about the surprise party.
informal
a slight or indirect suggestion or clue
Can you give me a hint about the answer?
Can you provide a subtle clue about the answer?
The detective found a hint in the suspect's diary.
The detective discovered a clue in the suspect's diary.
Often used to suggest something indirectly or subtly.
informal
to give a slight or indirect suggestion
She hinted that she might quit her job.
She suggested indirectly that she might quit her job.
He hinted at a possible promotion.
He suggested indirectly that a promotion might be coming.
When used as a verb, it means to suggest something subtly.
Collocations
give a hintto provide a subtle suggestiondrop a hintto suggest something indirectlytake a hintto understand an indirect suggestion
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Usage as a Noun and Verb
'Hint' can be used as both a noun (a slight suggestion) and a verb (to suggest indirectly).
Gold Rule
Indirect Suggestion
'Hint' is often used to describe something that is suggested indirectly or subtly.
Word Origin
From Middle English *hinten* (to point out), from Old English *hintian* (to point out, show), from Proto-Germanic *hintōną (to point out).
Usage Notes
The word 'hint' is often used to describe something that is suggested indirectly or subtly. It can be used as both a noun and a verb.
Word Breakdown
hint
a slight or indirect suggestion
rootEnglish Dictionary