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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.

While the standards are technically suggestions, Sheehan said they are effectively rules.

From The Wall Street Journal

The forwarded email comes from an address labelled "Juanesteban Ganoza" and makes suggestions on possible activities including a small lunch and horse riding.

From BBC

One suggestion is the Premier League could choose to launch its own direct-to-consumer channel, dubbed "Premflix", to distribute some of the games itself.

From BBC

Her suggestions include eating well, taking time to slow down - even on the busiest days - and asking for support if needed.

From BBC

Bowden’s suggestion that unhappy Pirates fans exhausted by the perennial futility try the Dodgers did not go over well in Pittsburgh.

From Los Angeles Times