hint

²hint

verb

Definition of HINT

transitive verb

: to convey indirectly and by allusion rather than explicitly <a suspicion that she scarcely dared to hint>

intransitive verb

: to give a hint —usually used with at <hint at the answer>

— hint·er noun

Examples of HINT

1. I keep hinting, but she's not catching on. I think I need to be more direct.
2. The boss hinted about possible layoffs.

First Known Use of HINT

1648

Related to HINT

Synonyms: allude, imply, indicate, infer, insinuate, intimate, suggest

Related Words: advert, mention, point, refer, signal, signalize, signify; smack (of), smell (of)

Near Antonyms: announce, declare, proclaim; elucidate, explain, spell out; delineate, describe

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See Synonym Discussion at suggest