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Synonyms

suggestion

American  
[suhg-jes-chuhn, suh-] / səgˈdʒɛs tʃən, sə- /

noun

  1. the act of suggesting.

  2. the state of being suggested.

  3. something suggested, as a piece of advice.

    We made the suggestion that she resign.

  4. a slight trace.

    He speaks with a suggestion of a foreign accent.

  5. the calling up in the mind of one idea by another by virtue of some association or of some natural connection between the ideas.

  6. the idea thus called up.

  7. Psychology.

    1. the process of inducing a thought, sensation, or action in a receptive person without using persuasion and without giving rise to reflection in the recipient.

    2. the thought, sensation, or action induced in this way.


suggestion British  
/ səˈdʒɛstʃən /

noun

  1. something that is suggested

  2. a hint or indication

    a suggestion of the odour of violets

  3. psychol the process whereby the mere presentation of an idea to a receptive individual leads to the acceptance of that idea See also autosuggestion

"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

Usage

What does suggestion mean?

A suggestion is a proposal, piece of advice, or idea for consideration.

Suggestion is the noun form the verb suggest. Suggestion is often used with the verbs offer and make, as in the common question, Can I make a suggestion? 

In psychology, suggestion has a more specific meaning: the process in which the mere presentation of an idea to a receptive person leads to the acceptance of that idea.

Example: After explaining his new business plan, Tom told his colleagues that he was open to suggestions and other feedback.

Related Words

See advice.

Other Word Forms

  • countersuggestion noun
  • nonsuggestion noun
  • presuggestion noun
  • self-suggestion noun

Etymology

Origin of suggestion

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English suggestio(u)n “incitement to evil,” from Medieval Latin suggestiōn-, stem of suggestiō, Latin: “addition, hint”; equivalent to suggest + -ion

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Asked about tournament host Tiger Woods’ suggestion to reschedule the event to the summertime, Schauffele said: “Wherever it is and whatever the conditions are — dry, damp, moist — I just enjoying playing here.”

From Los Angeles Times

Arteta's side have finished second in the league for three successive seasons and the result in midweek has led to some suggestions they are 'bottling' their current title bid.

From BBC

In this week’s Screen Gab, “The Pitt’s” Sepideh Moafi shares what it’s like joining the team, plus streaming suggestions for your weekend.

From Los Angeles Times

The suggestion is that when he was a trade envoy for the government more than a decade ago, he might have improperly passed Epstein information.

From The Wall Street Journal

What raised concerns among some Fed officials wasn’t the disagreement itself, but the suggestion that researchers should face consequences for their findings.

From Barron's