hint
[noun]
Synonyms:
- indication, allusion, clue, implication, innuendo, insinuation, intimation, suggestion
- advice, help, pointer, suggestion, tip
- trace, dash, suggestion, suspicion, tinge, touch, undertone
[verb]
Synonyms:
- suggest, imply, indicate, insinuate, intimate

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Antonyms: oodles
Contrasted words: command, directive, instruction, order, abundance, heap, lot, ask (for), demand, insist (on or upon)
Related Words: innuendo, insinuation, inspiration, prompting, aiming, direction, pointing, key, pointer, tip, advice, assistance, adumbration, taint, vestige, particle, scintilla, beg, coax, plead, importune, press, seek, solicit

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. hint¹ /hɪnt/ noun [countable]
[Date: 1600-1700; Origin: Probably from hent 'act of seizing' (16-17 centuries), from Old English hentan 'to seize']

1. something that you say or do to suggest something to someone, without telling them directly:
There have been hints that he may take up coaching.
‘Look, I can’t tell you.’ ‘Oh, come on, give me a hint.’
hint about/as to
Miles had been dropping heavy hints about the cost of petrol.
I made it clear I wasn’t interested in him, but he didn’t take the hint.

2. a very small amount or sign of something
hint of
‘When?’ he asked with a hint of impatience.
We shall have to turn back if there’s the slightest hint of fog.

3. a useful piece of advice about how to do something Synonym : tip
helpful/handy hints
hint on/about
helpful hints on looking after house plants

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. hint² verb [intransitive and transitive]
to suggest something in an indirect way, but so that someone can guess your meaning Synonym : imply
hint at
What are you hinting at?
hint (that)
He hinted strongly that he might be prepared to send troops in.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

hint
noun
I. suggestion
ADJ. broad, clear, heavy, strong He gave a broad hint that he was on the verge of leaving.
gentle, subtle, veiled | tantalizing
VERB + HINT drop, give (sb) I dropped a few subtle hints about the payment being due.
get, take OK, I get the hint! Can't you take a hint and leave me alone?
PREP. ~ about, ~ from a hint from my boss about my absences from the office
~ to Is that a hint to me to leave?

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

hint
II. small amount of sth
ADJ. strong a dish with a strong hint of garlic
faint, merest, slightest The slightest hint of gossip upset her.
PREP. ~ of There was a hint of amusement in his voice.
PHRASES at the first hint of sth At the first hint of trouble, I will call the police.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

hint
III. piece of advice
ADJ. handy, helpful, practical, useful
VERB + HINT give (sb)
PREP. ~ about The book gives some useful hints about how to plan your garden.
~ on a book full of handy hints on painting and decorating

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

hint
verb
ADV. strongly He hinted strongly that he would be resigning soon.
discreetly | darkly She hinted darkly that all was not well.
only
PREP. at The problems are only hinted at in the report.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

hint

give (somebody) a hint
Come on, what is it? Give me a hint.
drop a hint (=give a hint)
She was dropping quite a few hints about what she'd like for her birthday.
take a/the hint (=to understand a hint and act on it)
Mark took the hint and shut up.
get the hint (=to understand a hint)
I looked hopefully at the cake, but he didn't get the hint.
a broad/strong/heavy hint (=one that is very easy to understand)
He had dropped a heavy hint that they might get married.
a subtle/gentle hint (=one that is not very easy to understand – sometimes used ironically when someone is being very obvious)
I'm sick of her subtle hints that I'm not welcome here.
a vague hint (=one that is not specific enough to understand)
In his article, he gave only vague hints as to what he had actually done.
I can take a hint (=used when you understand someone's hint)
All right, I can take a hint. I'm leaving.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲