hint
1 of 2noun
ˈhint 
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
hint
2 of 2verb
hinted; hinting; hints
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
hinter noun
Synonyms
Noun
- clue
- cue
- indication
- inkling
- intimation
- lead
- suggestion
Verb
- allude
- imply
- indicate
- infer
- insinuate
- intimate
- suggest
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Glenn Rowley, Billboard, 13 Sep. 2022 The hint of plum in this rich red adds warmth to a classic tone. Katie Berohn, Good Housekeeping, 13 Sep. 2022 Here’s a hint to tell the twins apart — Kylee, who played soccer goalie growing up, has a small scar over her eye from a skateboarding accident. San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2022 There’s no hint of guitar on there (even though they’d been baked together on the master tapes). Chris Willman, Variety, 7 Sep. 2022 Arianne Phillips’ retro-chic fashion-spread costumes and Katie Byron’s swanky midcentury-modern sets (Palm Springs, California, is the direct reference) are a glossy visual feast, even if there’s a hint of Ryan Murphy-style art-directorial excess. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Sep. 2022 The palate is smooth, delicate, and finely tuned with syrupy prune, raisins, plum, raspberry, strawberry, 70% dark chocolate, peppercorn, ginger, clove, and a hint of smoke. Toby Grey, BGR, 4 Sep. 2022 Eateries are slowly opening along the alleyways, another small hint of downtown San Francisco’s fitful return. John King, San Francisco Chronicle, 4 Sep. 2022 The pork was tender and juicy, with a tasty barbecue sauce that had a hint of sweetness. San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Sep. 2022 The Indianapolis Star, 7 Sep. 2022 New markets are in the cards but Sunde won’t hint at what candidates Landline has in mind. Eric Tegler, Forbes, 13 Apr. 2022 Camilo, whose full name is Camilo Echeverry, and his wife initially hint at the exciting news during the clip when the singer kissed Montaner's stomach. Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE.com, 11 Apr. 2022 Erdogan has previously used that phrase to hint at looming military operations into Syria and Iraq against Kurdish militants that Turkey deems existential threats. Zeynep Bilginsoy, ajc, 3 Sep. 2022 The news comes from The Verge’s Tom Warren, who has an excellent track record on Windows rumors and was among the first to hint about the original launch of Windows 11. Michael Muchmore, PCMAG, 17 Aug. 2022 But the reporting this week has added two new wrinkles, both of which hint that the stuff hidden in Mar-a-Lago was even more sensitive. Wired, 13 Aug. 2022 There are also a number of warning signs to look for that might hint that someone is depressed, or even suicidal. Leah Campano, Seventeen, 4 Aug. 2022 While Apple pushed through headwinds including China and inflation to report a quarterly revenue gain and hint at an even stronger coming quarter. Andy Meek, BGR, 31 July 2022 See More
Noun
Watch Perry hint at her plans for new music to Barrymore around the seven-minute mark below. Glenn Rowley, Billboard, 13 Sep. 2022 The hint of plum in this rich red adds warmth to a classic tone. Katie Berohn, Good Housekeeping, 13 Sep. 2022 Here’s a hint to tell the twins apart — Kylee, who played soccer goalie growing up, has a small scar over her eye from a skateboarding accident. San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2022 There’s no hint of guitar on there (even though they’d been baked together on the master tapes). Chris Willman, Variety, 7 Sep. 2022 Arianne Phillips’ retro-chic fashion-spread costumes and Katie Byron’s swanky midcentury-modern sets (Palm Springs, California, is the direct reference) are a glossy visual feast, even if there’s a hint of Ryan Murphy-style art-directorial excess. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Sep. 2022 The palate is smooth, delicate, and finely tuned with syrupy prune, raisins, plum, raspberry, strawberry, 70% dark chocolate, peppercorn, ginger, clove, and a hint of smoke. Toby Grey, BGR, 4 Sep. 2022 Eateries are slowly opening along the alleyways, another small hint of downtown San Francisco’s fitful return. John King, San Francisco Chronicle, 4 Sep. 2022 The pork was tender and juicy, with a tasty barbecue sauce that had a hint of sweetness. San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Sep. 2022 Verb
Ryan stopped short of addressing all the Indianapolis expectations in his first regular season press conference, preferring instead to hint at his internal self-motivation. The Indianapolis Star, 7 Sep. 2022 New markets are in the cards but Sunde won’t hint at what candidates Landline has in mind. Eric Tegler, Forbes, 13 Apr. 2022 Camilo, whose full name is Camilo Echeverry, and his wife initially hint at the exciting news during the clip when the singer kissed Montaner's stomach. Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE.com, 11 Apr. 2022 Erdogan has previously used that phrase to hint at looming military operations into Syria and Iraq against Kurdish militants that Turkey deems existential threats. Zeynep Bilginsoy, ajc, 3 Sep. 2022 The news comes from The Verge’s Tom Warren, who has an excellent track record on Windows rumors and was among the first to hint about the original launch of Windows 11. Michael Muchmore, PCMAG, 17 Aug. 2022 But the reporting this week has added two new wrinkles, both of which hint that the stuff hidden in Mar-a-Lago was even more sensitive. Wired, 13 Aug. 2022 There are also a number of warning signs to look for that might hint that someone is depressed, or even suicidal. Leah Campano, Seventeen, 4 Aug. 2022 While Apple pushed through headwinds including China and inflation to report a quarterly revenue gain and hint at an even stronger coming quarter. Andy Meek, BGR, 31 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
probably alteration of obsolete hent act of seizing, from hent, verb
First Known Use
Noun
1604, in the meaning defined at sense 4
Verb
1648, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Phrases Containing hint
Kids Definition
hint 1 of 2
noun
ˈhint
1
: information that helps a person guess an answer or do something more easily
2
: a small amount : trace
There's a hint of spring in the air.
hint
2 of 2verb
hinted; hinting
: to suggest something without plainly asking or saying it
I hinted that I need help.
hinting 1 of 2
adjective
as in implying
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- implying
- insinuating
- suggestive
- connoting
- symbolic
- alluding
- exhibiting
- referring
- expressive
- demonstrative
- characteristic
- symptomatic
- symbolical
- indicative
- denoting
- signifying
- allusive
- telltale
- reflective
- denotative
- significant
hinting
2 of 2verb
as in indicating
to convey an idea indirectly kept hinting that she wouldn't mind an invitation to spend the weekend at their beach house Synonyms & Similar Words
- implying
- indicating
- suggesting
- alluding
- intimating
- referring
- inferring
- insinuating
- mentioning
- pointing
- signaling
- signifying
- signalling
- signalizing
- adverting
- smelling (of)
- smacking (of)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- announcing
- declaring
- proclaiming
- explaining
- describing
- elucidating
- delineating
- spelling out