hint
hihnt
Hint (noun) means a small clue or suggestion that helps someone understand or guess something. Example: “The teacher dropped a hint that the test would include fractions.”
noun
1
A small clue or suggestion that helps someone understand or guess something.
"The teacher dropped a hint that the test would include fractions."
"She gave me a hint about what he was getting for his birthday."
"Can you give me a hint for question three?"
2
A very small trace or amount of something.
"Her voice carried a hint of sadness as she waved goodbye."
"I could taste a hint of lemon in the cake."
"There was just a hint of garlic in the sauce."
verb
1
To suggest something indirectly, without saying it outright.
"She hinted that dinner might be a surprise this evening."
"He hinted that he might be leaving the company soon."
"She kept hinting that she wanted flowers for her birthday."
How to use hint
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small clue you give or notice, or the act of suggesting something without saying it directly.
Common pairings
take a hint
drop a hint
a hint of
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like hint.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- hints
- Third person singular
- hints
- Past tense
- hinted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The teacher dropped a _____ that the test would include fractions.
Etymology
From Middle English henten ("to seize, grasp"), related to "hunt."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for hint
See all rhymes for hint →Frequently asked questions
What does “hint” mean?
The word “hint” means a small clue or suggestion that helps someone understand or guess something. In plain terms, a small clue you give or notice, or the act of suggesting something without saying it directly.
How do you pronounce “hint”?
“Hint” is pronounced hihnt (/hɪnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “hint” in a sentence?
Here is “hint” used in a sentence: “She gave me a hint about what he was getting for his birthday.”
What part of speech is “hint”?
Depending on how it is used, “hint” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “hint” come from?
The word “hint” comes from Middle English. From Middle English henten ("to seize, grasp"), related to "hunt.".
Is “hint” a common word?
“Hint” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “hint” have?
“Hint” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small clue or suggestion that helps someone understand or guess something.
What is the difference between a hint and a clue?
Both help someone reach an answer, but a clue is usually a piece of evidence found in a situation, such as a mystery or a puzzle, while a hint is a small suggestion deliberately given by a person. In short, you find clues, but people drop hints.
Do you say "hint at" or "hint about" something?
The standard collocation is "hint at": "She hinted at major changes." Hint can also be followed directly by a that-clause, as in "He hinted that he might resign"; "hint about" is heard in casual speech, but "hint at" is far more common in edited writing.
What do "drop a hint" and "take a hint" mean?
To drop a hint is to suggest something indirectly rather than saying it outright, and to take a hint is to notice and act on that indirect suggestion. The second phrase often appears in the negative — "he just can't take a hint" — meaning someone fails to pick up on an obvious signal.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include hint:
