suggestion

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.

Beware of suggestions—the word comes from a Middle English term meaning “incitement to evil.” The first records of suggestion come from the 1300s. In fact, suggestion preceded the verb suggest in English. Both suggest and suggestion ultimately derive from the Latin verb suggerere, meaning “to build up, supply, hint, suggest.”

Suggestions are ideas, usually for how something should be done or how something could be improved. You probably make suggestions to your friends all the time about both big things (like where you think they should work) and small things (like where you should meet for dinner). Employees sometimes submit suggestions to the (often virtual) suggestion box at work, and companies often ask customers to send comments and suggestions. Suggestions are made to people who may or may not act on them—the word typically implies that it’s optional. To that end, when someone gives you advice but wants to emphasize that they’re not pressuring you to take it or act on it, they often end by saying just a suggestion. Someone who is willing to consider advice is said to be open to suggestions. Relatedly but less commonly, suggestion can be used to mean “a trace or hint of something,” as in The flavor of this chocolate has a faint suggestion of coffee. 

In psychology, suggestion refers to the practice of implanting an idea in the mind of someone, often simply by mentioning it. This is often done to influence the person’s actions or behavior. This sense is seen in the phrase the power of suggestion, which refers to how effective it can be.

What are some other forms related to suggestion?

• suggest (verb)
• countersuggestion (noun)
• nonsuggestion (noun)
• presuggestion (noun)
• self-suggestion (noun)

What are some synonyms for suggestion?

• piece of advice
• idea
• recommendation
• proposal

What are some words that share a root or word element with suggestion? 

• suggestive

What are some words that often get used in discussing suggestion?

• advice
• make
• offer
• propose
• plan
• tip
• opinion

Suggestion is a very common word that’s used in many contexts. It’s often seen in phrases like here’s a suggestion, just a suggestion, and Can I make a suggestion?

Can I make a suggestion?

Pets are vital to help elderly & vulnerable people feel less isolated. No more so than now!

If their pet gets sick, they may need someone to take the pet for medical treatment.

One less worry… offer to assist if there's a future need! pic.twitter.com/EK0U4n7QWM

— David Gibson 🌊 #Covid19Kindness (@Uniquepoems4u) March 17, 2020

it's just a suggestion; every tweet is not an invitation to argument.

— Adam Serwer🍝 (@AdamSerwer) March 23, 2020

THE THIN PLACE at Playwrights Horizons is one of the scariest plays I’ve ever seen. Lucas Hnath channels Annie Baker’s JOHN and PERSONAL SHOPPER in an eerie oddity about the power of suggestion. Go!

— Richard Lawson (@rilaws) December 21, 2019

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of suggestion?

A. idea
B. proposal
C. order
D. recommendation