suggestion

[suhg-jes-chuhn, suh-]

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

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of suggestion¹

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

Synonym Study

See advice.

Example Sentences

Kahn’s lawyer said Epstein asked him to prepare the letter, he had no reason to question Enhanced Education’s sponsorship and there was no suggestion of abuse.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Chechen authorities deny any connection to Baimuradova's death, condemning such suggestions as a "terrorist information attack".

Read more on BBC

That same year, the director of the Adventure Racing World Series in Australia, Craig Bycroft, announced he would be refining the rules and was seeking suggestions.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

There have been many suggestions, the players said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Or because of an ever-growing pile of reports from different think tanks or research groups making helpful suggestions that have grabbed headlines too.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• approach 
• charge 
• idea 
• instruction 
• invitation 
• motion 
• opinion 
• proposal 
• proposition 
• recommendation 
• resolution 
• tip 

When To Use

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.