hint

/hɪnt/

/hɪnt/

Other forms: hints; hinted; hinting

A hint is a slight indication or clue. Your mother might hint at the fact that she doesn’t like your shoes, while your grandmother will just come right out and say that they’re ugly.

If you’re a journalist following a lead, you’ll prefer that your source give you all the facts, rather than just a hint. A hint can be an indirect suggestion and it is also a very small amount — maybe you take just a hint of sugar in your coffee. As a verb, hint is an intimation or subtle suggestion. It’s also something you drop, like when you hint that you want a particular video game for your birthday.

Definitions of hint

1. noun

   an indirect suggestion
   synonyms: breath, intimation

   type of:

   proffer, proposition, suggestion

   a proposal offered for acceptance or rejection
2. noun

   an indication of potential opportunity
   synonyms: confidential information, lead, steer, tip, wind

   type of:

   counsel, counseling, counselling, direction, guidance

   something that provides direction or advice as to a decision or course of action
3. verb

   drop a hint; intimate by a hint
   synonyms: suggest

   types:

   adumbrate, insinuate, intimate

   give to understand

   clue in

   provide someone with a clue

   advert, allude, touch

   make a more or less disguised reference to

   type of:

   convey

   make known; pass on, of information
4. noun

   a slight indication
   synonyms: clue

   type of:

   indicant, indication

   something that serves to indicate or suggest
5. noun

   a slight but appreciable amount
   synonyms: jot, mite, pinch, soupcon, speck, tinge, touch, trifle

   types:

   snuff

   a pinch of smokeless tobacco inhaled at a single time

   type of:

   small indefinite amount, small indefinite quantity

   an indefinite quantity that is below average size or magnitude
6. noun

   a just detectable amount
   synonyms: suggestion, trace

   types:

   spark

   a small but noticeable trace of some quality that might become stronger

   type of:

   small indefinite amount, small indefinite quantity

   an indefinite quantity that is below average size or magnitude