noun
inkling
IHNGK-lihng
Inkling (noun) means a slight hint or vague idea about something. Example: “I had an inkling something was wrong when she stopped answering calls.”
noun
1
A slight hint or vague idea about something.
"I had an inkling something was wrong when she stopped answering calls."
"He gave no inkling that he was planning to resign."
How to use inkling
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA faint suspicion or slight sense that something is true, before you have real proof.
Common pairings
have an inkling
give no inkling
the faintest inkling
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Word forms
- Plural
- inklings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I had an _____ something was wrong when she stopped answering calls.
Etymology
From a Middle English word for a whisper or hint, likely tangled up over time with inkle, "to hint."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for inkling
See all rhymes for inkling →Frequently asked questions
What does “inkling” mean?
The word “inkling” means a slight hint or vague idea about something. In plain terms, a faint suspicion or slight sense that something is true, before you have real proof.
How do you pronounce “inkling”?
“Inkling” is pronounced IHNGK-lihng (/ˈɪŋklɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “inkling” in a sentence?
Here is “inkling” used in a sentence: “I had an inkling something was wrong when she stopped answering calls.”
What part of speech is “inkling”?
“Inkling” is a noun.
Where does the word “inkling” come from?
The word “inkling” comes from Middle English. From a Middle English word for a whisper or hint, likely tangled up over time with inkle, "to hint.".
