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

Overnight there were suggestions that Lecornu could secure centre-left support if the government suspended highly contested pension reforms that raised the retirement age from 62 to 64.

From BBC

Number 10's press secretary said on Monday "the suggestion that the government withheld evidence, withdrew witnesses or restricted the ability of a witness to draw on a particular bit of evidence are all untrue".

From BBC

There is no suggestion the terms of the Home Office contracts have been breached in any way.

From BBC

Number 10's press secretary said "the suggestion that the government withheld evidence, withdrew witnesses or restricted the ability of a witness to draw on a particular bit of evidence are all untrue".

From BBC

In May, he angrily dismissed a suggestion he was a clown, referencing a report which said he was "teetering between hero and clown" before the Europa League final.

From 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.