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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 8 Apr. 2024
The result is over eight years of autonomy, and perhaps some hints as to how watchmaking can inspire sustainable technology in other fields.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 8 Apr. 2024
The menu notes hints of sweetness and low saltiness.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2024
Its unique flavor profile is characterized by sweet strawberry notes that mix with a strong hint of diesel, resulting in a unique and easily recognizable combo.
—Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024
This track has some hints of the bass-heavy beats that derived in the Southern states.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 1 Apr. 2024
Or, in this case, paying attention to your UI hints.
— Daria Grzybowska, UI Artist
10.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
During Lent, Simone prepares a weekly fish dinner smothered in a creamy sauce with a distinct hint of nutmeg, at her home in Issy-les-Moulineaux, a suburb southwest of the city.
—Shane Mitchell, Saveur, 28 Mar. 2024
Energy, the raw stuff of creation, is coming at you all the time, in hints, clues, rhymes, or blasts of inspiration.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2024
Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 9 Apr. 2024
Spencer also hinted that Xbox could eventually get PC stores like Epic Games Store and Itch.io, signaling that Microsoft is still considering further big changes to its overall Xbox strategy.
—Tom Warren, The Verge, 5 Apr. 2024
Putin hinted in an interview last month that Gershkovich could be swapped for a Russian hitman jailed in Germany, and a deal that sources told NBC News was in the works to free opposition leader Alexei Navalny before his death in prison last month would have also involved Gershkovich.
—Andrea Mitchell, NBC News, 29 Mar. 2024
Zuckerberg also hinted this won’t be the last unexpected fashion interaction between the pair.
—Byeleanor Pringle, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2024
In an address to Russians the day after the attack, President Vladimir Putin hinted that Ukraine might have been involved in the atrocity.
—Fred Weir, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Mar. 2024
More than that, the genes of pinnipeds hint that the mammals originated many millions of years earlier than Puijila and likely lived in freshwater or nearshore environments.
—Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Mar. 2024
Musk hinted recently that Dogecoin could be accepted as a payment method at Tesla in the future.
—Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 28 Mar. 2024
These dynamics hint that understanding the market is key to a successful sales listing.
—John Walkup, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Noun
Her blazer and pants had a hint of floral, with a spray of flowers on one shoulder and one pant leg.
—Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 8 Apr. 2024
The result is over eight years of autonomy, and perhaps some hints as to how watchmaking can inspire sustainable technology in other fields.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 8 Apr. 2024
The menu notes hints of sweetness and low saltiness.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2024
Its unique flavor profile is characterized by sweet strawberry notes that mix with a strong hint of diesel, resulting in a unique and easily recognizable combo.
—Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024
This track has some hints of the bass-heavy beats that derived in the Southern states.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 1 Apr. 2024
Or, in this case, paying attention to your UI hints.
— Daria Grzybowska, UI Artist
10.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
During Lent, Simone prepares a weekly fish dinner smothered in a creamy sauce with a distinct hint of nutmeg, at her home in Issy-les-Moulineaux, a suburb southwest of the city.
—Shane Mitchell, Saveur, 28 Mar. 2024
Energy, the raw stuff of creation, is coming at you all the time, in hints, clues, rhymes, or blasts of inspiration.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2024
Verb
The restaurant also hinted that lunch service will return at the new operation.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 9 Apr. 2024
Spencer also hinted that Xbox could eventually get PC stores like Epic Games Store and Itch.io, signaling that Microsoft is still considering further big changes to its overall Xbox strategy.
—Tom Warren, The Verge, 5 Apr. 2024
Putin hinted in an interview last month that Gershkovich could be swapped for a Russian hitman jailed in Germany, and a deal that sources told NBC News was in the works to free opposition leader Alexei Navalny before his death in prison last month would have also involved Gershkovich.
—Andrea Mitchell, NBC News, 29 Mar. 2024
Zuckerberg also hinted this won’t be the last unexpected fashion interaction between the pair.
—Byeleanor Pringle, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2024
In an address to Russians the day after the attack, President Vladimir Putin hinted that Ukraine might have been involved in the atrocity.
—Fred Weir, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Mar. 2024
More than that, the genes of pinnipeds hint that the mammals originated many millions of years earlier than Puijila and likely lived in freshwater or nearshore environments.
—Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Mar. 2024
Musk hinted recently that Dogecoin could be accepted as a payment method at Tesla in the future.
—Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 28 Mar. 2024
These dynamics hint that understanding the market is key to a successful sales listing.
—John Walkup, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
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.
Dictionary Entries Near hint
Cite this Entry
“Hint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hint. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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