hint

noun

\ ˈhint

Definition of hint

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

verb

hinted; hinting; hints

Definition of hint (Entry 2 of 2)

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

Other Words from hint Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about hint

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Choose the Right Synonym for hint

Verb

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 Is this a hint that Walker’s Captain America on the show is working with the Flag Smashers? — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Recap: Secret War," 26 Mar. 2021 Both audio sources came through clearly every time, and there wasn’t a hint of lag or interference. — Michael Andronico, CNN Underscored, "The $99 Xbox Wireless Headset is great for gaming — and working from home," 15 Mar. 2021 Bouknight, from Brooklyn, committed to UConn nearly a year before there was any hint of a move to the Big East. — Dom Amore, courant.com, "For Dan Hurley, James Bouknight, UConn men, the return to Madison Square Garden is a game changer," 10 Mar. 2021 That might’ve been a hint that this was going to be a rough gig. — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, "Colbert, Kimmel, Fallon Discuss Harry and Meghan’s Interview With Oprah," 9 Mar. 2021 Alternating black and white – or orange and white in this case – is often a hint that something is in binary code, giving enthusiasts their first clue. — Fox News, "NASA leaves hidden message on parachute of Mars rover," 26 Feb. 2021 Here’s a hint to keep your phone contacts organized. — Washington Post, "Hints From Heloise: Better work communication," 13 Oct. 2020 The East Coast native—who has a Northeast-meets-Midwest (with a hint of Palm Beach) design style—welcomed the challenge to transform the blank slate. — Laura Fenton, Better Homes & Gardens, "Layers of Pattern and Color Add Standout Style to a Previously Plain Home," 9 Mar. 2021 Not over the top, barely a hint of sweetness in the smooth ale. — Marc Bona, cleveland, "13 different beers for March," 7 Mar. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Not until Wednesday evening, just hours before the storm, did our best models hint at more of an icy versus snowy solution. — Washington Post, "Sleet versus snow: The reason behind Thursday’s icy mess," 19 Feb. 2021 Four years later, though, friends began to hint that her healing process was taking too long. — New York Times, "After Two Dating Apps and 98 First Dates, Something Was Different About the 99th," 29 Jan. 2021 Some subjects are rendered in visceral portraits; other images only hint at human presence—or absence—through shadows and distorted silhouettes. — Ana Karina Zatarain, The New Yorker, "Picturing the Surreality of Grief for Mexico’s Disappeared," 18 Mar. 2021 This 22-inch pick has little flowers, leaves, berries, and intertwined pastel eggs that hint at the Easter holiday in a subtle way. — Sanah Faroke, Better Homes & Gardens, "The 12 Best Spring Wreaths on Amazon to Celebrate the New Season," 12 Mar. 2021 Yellowstone is known for its geysers, colorful thermal pools, hot springs and mud pots that hint at the unsettled environment below the surface. — Eric Mack, Forbes, "An Eruption Of The Yellowstone Volcano Would Be Wild, But Not Like You Think," 2 Mar. 2021 Some of her complaints are about their dynamic as a team, while others hint at a failed or simply nonexistent romance between the two. — Kyndall Cunningham, Vulture, "The Challenge: Double Agents," 18 Feb. 2021 Abrams’ research is ongoing, and may hint at how crime changes depending on mobility, police presence, and economic conditions, even during non-pandemic times. — Eve Sneider, Wired, "Faster Vaccinations, New Mutations, and More Coronavirus News," 15 Jan. 2021 Carroll did hint at some displeasure with Schottenheimer following the playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams in a wild card playoff game on Saturday. — oregonlive, "Seattle Seahawks fire offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer," 12 Jan. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hint.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.