1
a
: a statement that expresses indirectly what one prefers not to say explicitly
had been dropping hints that he would like to be invited
b
: an indirect or general suggestion for how to do or solve something
helpful hints for inexperienced cooks
can't tell you the answer but can give you a hint
2
: a slight indication of the existence, approach, or nature of something : clue
gave only a hint of what was to come
3
: a very small amount : suggestion
with just a hint of spice
4
archaic
: opportunity, turn
hinted; hinting; hints
: to convey indirectly and by allusion rather than explicitly
a suspicion that she scarcely dared to hint
: to give an indirect suggestion or piece of evidence that leads one toward the solution of a problem : to give a hint
—usually used with at
hint at the answer
hinter
noun
Synonyms
Examples of hint in a Sentence
Noun
Her face gave me a hint of what she was thinking.
“I have a lot of work to do.” “OK, I'll leave. I can take a hint.”
The sauce has a subtle hint of garlic.
He had a hint of a German accent.
They'll betray you at the first hint of trouble.
Verb
I keep hinting, but she's not catching on. I think I need to be more direct.
The boss hinted about possible layoffs.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Audrey Noble, Vogue, 22 Nov. 2023
Jason Kelce’s wardrobe has a hint of nostalgia this holiday season!
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 22 Nov. 2023
The industry is bracing for a mild season given that retail sales fell in October — the first decline since March and a hint that consumers may have price fatigue.
—Jaclyn Peiser, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023
The surprise news of Altman’s ouster and the company’s vague hints of deceitfulness on his part spread across Silicon Valley’s tech community like wildfire.
—Kylie Robison, Fortune, 17 Nov. 2023
The racecourse turned subtly northwest, providing a brief respite from triple-digit temperatures, with a hint of ocean breeze rolling in off the Pacific as our map on the Polaris Ride Command screen showed blue to our left.
—Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 15 Nov. 2023
Votive Candle Housed in a glass vessel with a gold pattern, this 2-ounce Nest candle has notes of mandarin orange, cloves, cinnamon, pomegranate, and pine, plus hints of amber and vanilla.
—Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 10 Nov. 2023
In contrast, buttermilk pie gets its signature tangy flavor from buttermilk, a splash of lemon juice, and a hint of vanilla.
—Pam Lolley, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2023
For the record: Trader Joe’s Restaurant Style White Corn Tortilla Chips are the best (extra salty, sturdy, and just the slightest hint of lime).
—Alex Beggs, Bon Appétit, 9 Nov. 2023
Eric Andersson, Peoplemag, 16 Nov. 2023
Rolling Loud has yet to hint or reveal who the surprise act might be.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 14 Nov. 2023
However, the company hinted it would be renovated and redesigned soon.
—Devorah Lev-Tov, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Nov. 2023
Sunday was the third time the U.S. had carried out such strikes, and Austin hinted the U.S. was willing to do more.
—Jiyoung Sohn, WSJ, 13 Nov. 2023
The film’s latest trailer hinted that a separate universe will touch the MCU’s, which means there could be more heroes and characters.
—Herb Scribner, Washington Post, 7 Nov. 2023
Certain language in the court order also hints that Chutkan is getting wise to Trump’s antics.
—Ellie Quinlan Houghtaling, The New Republic, 3 Nov. 2023
Ng taught OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman at Stanford and hinted his former student may be trying to consolidate an oligopoly of powerful tech companies controlling AI.
—Ryan Hogg, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2023
Photo: isaac esquivel/Shutterstock MEXICO CITY—The Bank of Mexico held its benchmark interest rate steady for a fifth consecutive time Thursday, while hinting it could be moving closer to eventual rate cuts as progress is made in lowering inflation.
—Anthony Harrup, WSJ, 9 Nov. 2023
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Noun
Opt for a platinum blonde like Lady Gaga that has a subtle hint of warmth.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 22 Nov. 2023
Jason Kelce’s wardrobe has a hint of nostalgia this holiday season!
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 22 Nov. 2023
The industry is bracing for a mild season given that retail sales fell in October — the first decline since March and a hint that consumers may have price fatigue.
—Jaclyn Peiser, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023
The surprise news of Altman’s ouster and the company’s vague hints of deceitfulness on his part spread across Silicon Valley’s tech community like wildfire.
—Kylie Robison, Fortune, 17 Nov. 2023
The racecourse turned subtly northwest, providing a brief respite from triple-digit temperatures, with a hint of ocean breeze rolling in off the Pacific as our map on the Polaris Ride Command screen showed blue to our left.
—Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 15 Nov. 2023
Votive Candle Housed in a glass vessel with a gold pattern, this 2-ounce Nest candle has notes of mandarin orange, cloves, cinnamon, pomegranate, and pine, plus hints of amber and vanilla.
—Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 10 Nov. 2023
In contrast, buttermilk pie gets its signature tangy flavor from buttermilk, a splash of lemon juice, and a hint of vanilla.
—Pam Lolley, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2023
For the record: Trader Joe’s Restaurant Style White Corn Tortilla Chips are the best (extra salty, sturdy, and just the slightest hint of lime).
—Alex Beggs, Bon Appétit, 9 Nov. 2023
Verb
Keri Moore, Lionsgate’s co-president of worldwide theatrical marketing, previously hinted to Variety that something supernatural could be at play.
—Eric Andersson, Peoplemag, 16 Nov. 2023
Rolling Loud has yet to hint or reveal who the surprise act might be.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 14 Nov. 2023
However, the company hinted it would be renovated and redesigned soon.
—Devorah Lev-Tov, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Nov. 2023
Sunday was the third time the U.S. had carried out such strikes, and Austin hinted the U.S. was willing to do more.
—Jiyoung Sohn, WSJ, 13 Nov. 2023
The film’s latest trailer hinted that a separate universe will touch the MCU’s, which means there could be more heroes and characters.
—Herb Scribner, Washington Post, 7 Nov. 2023
Certain language in the court order also hints that Chutkan is getting wise to Trump’s antics.
—Ellie Quinlan Houghtaling, The New Republic, 3 Nov. 2023
Ng taught OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman at Stanford and hinted his former student may be trying to consolidate an oligopoly of powerful tech companies controlling AI.
—Ryan Hogg, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2023
Photo: isaac esquivel/Shutterstock MEXICO CITY—The Bank of Mexico held its benchmark interest rate steady for a fifth consecutive time Thursday, while hinting it could be moving closer to eventual rate cuts as progress is made in lowering inflation.
—Anthony Harrup, WSJ, 9 Nov. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hint.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
probably alteration of obsolete hent act of seizing, from hent, verb
First Known Use
Noun
1604, in the meaning defined at sense 4
Verb
1648, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Phrases Containing hint
Dictionary Entries Near hint
Cite this Entry
“Hint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hint. Accessed 29 Nov. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on hint
Nglish: Translation of hint for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of hint for Arabic Speakers
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