hint
OTHER WORDS FOR hint
Origin of hint
synonym study for hint
OTHER WORDS FROM hint
hinter, nounun·hint·ed, adjectiveWords nearby hint
MORE ABOUT HINT
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.
Where does hint come from?
The first records of the term hint come from around the 1500s. It is believed to come from the Old English henten, meaning “to grasp” or “to take.” This Old English term is the root for the obsolete term hent, meaning “the act of seizing.” A hint is an opportunity for one to take or seize meaning from.
In order for a hint to be a hint, the person receiving the hint must be able to understand the hinter’s meaning without any additional information. For example, leading someone to discover a conclusion by giving them more information is not a hint, whereas telling them something that strongly implies that conclusion is a hint.
Did you know ... ?
How is hint used in real life?
Hints are commonly given when someone wants to interest other people in what they’re hinting at.
love u so much i'm so excited i wanna show u something but brb (it's kind of a hint to thursday's announcement!!!!)
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) November 12, 2014
I want you to ~decipher~ my emoji paragraphs but lemme give you a little hint: they all end in bashful monkey.
— Cole M. Sprouse (@colesprouse) April 24, 2017
Haven't had a photoshoot in a while…..hint hint
— Matthew Espinosa (@MatthewEspinosa) April 1, 2014
Try using hint!
Which of the following is NOT a synonym for hint?
A. suggest
B. deny
C. mention
D. imply
How to use hint in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for hint
Derived forms of hint
hinter, nounhinting, nounhintingly, adverbWord Origin for hint
Other Idioms and Phrases with hint
see take a hint.