hint

1 of 2

noun

ˈhint 

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

hint

2 of 2

verb

hinted; hinting; hints

transitive verb

: to convey indirectly and by allusion rather than explicitly

a suspicion that she scarcely dared to hint

intransitive verb

: 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

Noun

• indication
• clue
• suggestion
• cue

Verb

• indicate
• imply
• suggest

Choose the Right Synonym for hint

suggest, imply, hint, intimate, insinuate mean to convey an idea indirectly.

suggest may stress putting into the mind by association of ideas, awakening of a desire, or initiating a train of thought.

a film title that suggests its subject matter

imply is close to suggest but may indicate a more definite or logical relation of the unexpressed idea to the expressed.

measures implying that bankruptcy was imminent

hint implies the use of slight or remote suggestion with a minimum of overt statement.

hinted that she might get the job

intimate stresses delicacy of suggestion without connoting any lack of candor.

intimates that there is more to the situation than meets the eye

insinuate applies to the conveying of a usually unpleasant idea in a sly underhanded manner.

insinuated that there were shady dealings

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

There was no hint of humor in Richardson’s voice. —Will Sammon, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025

For her glam, the star wore blush pink tones on her lips and cheeks to match the hint of pink in her dress and added a sultry flick of eyeliner across her lids. —Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025

Verb

In April, Giannulli seemed to hint that the pair was still going strong, after liking a post from the actor's sister Isabella about his latest project, The Narrow Road to the Deep North, on Instagram, per E! —Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025

The Court has hinted, however, that the president's removal powers may not extend fully to the Federal Reserve, a question likely to surface soon with the pending case of Fed Governor Lisa Cook. —Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025

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

• drop a hint
• get/take the hint
• hint at
• take a hint

Rhymes for hint

• clint
• dint
• glint
• lint
• mint
• print
• quint
• quinte
• splint
• sprint
• squint
• stint

Kids Definition

hint

1 of 2 noun

ˈhint 

1

: a slight mention : a suggestion or reminder

a hint of winter in the air

2

: a slight indication of the existence or nature of something : clue

3

: a very small amount : trace

a hint of garlic

hint

2 of 2 verb

: to bring to mind by or give a hint

hinter noun