intimation

American  

[in-tuh-mey-shuhn] / ˌɪn təˈmeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of intimating, or making known indirectly.

2. a hint; suggestion.

   The death of his father was his first intimation of mortality.

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intimation British  

/ ˌɪntɪˈmeɪʃən /

noun

1. a hint or suggestion

2. rare an announcement or notice

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Etymology

Origin of intimation

First recorded in 1425–75; from French, from Late Latin intimātiōn-, stem of intimātiō, equivalent to intimāt(us), past participle of intimāre “to announce, make known” + -iō -ion ( def. ); intimate ² ( def. )

Explanation

The noun intimation means a hint or an indirect suggestion. Your teacher's intimation that there could be a quiz the next day might send you into a panic, while your friend sitting beside you might not even notice. Intimation comes from the Latin word intimationem, which means an announcement. In English, intimation refers to a less direct form of communication. It's a suggestion or hint, rather than a blatant statement of fact. Your first intimation that your brother had a girlfriend was the amount of time he spent whispering into the phone. The second intimation was when he asked your parents for money for two movie tickets.

Example Sentences

Discovery sources apparently leaked a casual intimation this week that Paramount was ready to increase its $30-a-share offer by at least a buck.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 17, 2026

That offered the first intimation of the defense strategy: presenting as commonplace actions that the prosecutors have deemed criminal.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 25, 2024

That intimation may transcend cultures, suggested in Williams’ recent surprise cameo in “The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon,” of all places.

From Salon • Dec. 4, 2023

The lenders met Go First's management a few weeks ago, but no intimation was given, one of the bankers said.

From Reuters • May 2, 2023

The following winter months brought the first intimation that other life was affected: the western grebes on the lake began to die, and soon more than a hundred of them were reported dead.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson