inkling

noun

in·kling ˈiŋ-kliŋ How to pronounce inkling (audio)

: a slight knowledge or vague notion

had not the faintest inkling of what it was all about

H. W. Carter

: a slight indication or suggestion : hint, clue

there was no path—no inkling even of a track

New Yorker

Did you know?

Originating in English in the early 16th century, inkling derives from Middle English yngkiling, meaning "whisper or mention," and perhaps further from the verb inclen, meaning "to hint at." It also shares a distant relationship with the Old English noun inca, meaning "suspicion." An early sense of the word meant "a faint perceptible sound or undertone" or "rumor," but now people usually use the word to refer to a tiny bit of knowledge or information that a person receives about something. One related word you might not have heard of is the verb inkle, a back-formation of inkling that occurs in some British English dialects and means "to have an idea or notion of."

Example Sentences

did not give the slightest inkling that he was planning to quit

Recent Examples on the Web His inkling came a few weeks into their actual relationship.

Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 28 July 2022 That was her first inkling that these weren’t meant for a thrift store’s shelves.

Amber Hunt, The Enquirer, 14 July 2022 Bullock and his colleagues already have some inkling of what needs to be upgraded — such as electronic ticketing systems and expanded internet access — after hosting an IOC technical committee in late April.

Julie Jag, The Salt Lake Tribune, 24 May 2022 Tosar had an inkling that the explanation could be something big—quite literally.

Roxanne Khamsi, Scientific American, 17 June 2020 Despite the unassuming response, Hodo probably has an inkling of what Baltimore’s brass saw in him.

Nick Moyle, San Antonio Express-News, 22 July 2022 Each year, homeowners first get an inkling of what the inflation adjustment will be for the upcoming year when property tax assessment notices are mailed each January.

Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 5 July 2022 Fischman: Did Charlie get any inkling of what might happen at these meetings?

Josh Fischman, Scientific American, 31 May 2022 At no point in her three decades of living in and around Indianapolis had Austin caught any inkling of that history.

Domenica Bongiovanni, The Indianapolis Star, 6 June 2022 See More

单词	inklings
释义	inkling noun in·kling ˈiŋ-kliŋ 1 : a slight knowledge or vague notion had not the faintest inkling of what it was all about H. W. Carter 2 : a slight indication or suggestion : hint, clue there was no path—no inkling even of a track New Yorker Did you know? Originating in English in the early 16th century, inkling derives from Middle English yngkiling, meaning "whisper or mention," and perhaps further from the verb inclen, meaning "to hint at." It also shares a distant relationship with the Old English noun inca, meaning "suspicion." An early sense of the word meant "a faint perceptible sound or undertone" or "rumor," but now people usually use the word to refer to a tiny bit of knowledge or information that a person receives about something. One related word you might not have heard of is the verb inkle, a back-formation of inkling that occurs in some British English dialects and means "to have an idea or notion of." Synonyms clue cue hint indication intimation lead suggestion See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences did not give the slightest inkling that he was planning to quit Recent Examples on the Web His inkling came a few weeks into their actual relationship. Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 28 July 2022 That was her first inkling that these weren’t meant for a thrift store’s shelves. Amber Hunt, The Enquirer, 14 July 2022 Bullock and his colleagues already have some inkling of what needs to be upgraded — such as electronic ticketing systems and expanded internet access — after hosting an IOC technical committee in late April. Julie Jag, The Salt Lake Tribune, 24 May 2022 Tosar had an inkling that the explanation could be something big—quite literally. Roxanne Khamsi, Scientific American, 17 June 2020 Despite the unassuming response, Hodo probably has an inkling of what Baltimore’s brass saw in him. Nick Moyle, San Antonio Express-News, 22 July 2022 Each year, homeowners first get an inkling of what the inflation adjustment will be for the upcoming year when property tax assessment notices are mailed each January. Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 5 July 2022 Fischman: Did Charlie get any inkling of what might happen at these meetings? Josh Fischman, Scientific American, 31 May 2022 At no point in her three decades of living in and around Indianapolis had Austin caught any inkling of that history. Domenica Bongiovanni, The Indianapolis Star, 6 June 2022 See More Word History Etymology Middle English yngkiling whisper, mention, probably from inclen to hint at; akin to Old English inca suspicion First Known Use 1513, in the meaning defined at sense 2 Kids Definition inkling noun in·kling ˈiŋ-kliŋ : a vague notion : hint She hadn't an inkling there was a problem. inklings noun plural of inkling as in indications a slight or indirect pointing to something (as a solution or explanation) did not give the slightest inkling that he was planning to quit Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance indications hints clues cues suggestions ideas intimations signs suspicions glimpses leads feelings notions glimmers implications whiffs inspirations evidences allusions scents signals hunches intuitions mentions symptoms winds flickers insinuations inferences overtones breaths innuendos presentiments tips guideposts premonitions harbingers keys prompts innuendoes forebodings tokens pointers denotations telltales portents assistances nods winks presages omens foretastes auguries tip-offs marks foreshadowers prefigurements Antonyms & Near Antonyms solutions answers
随便看	ludic ludicro- ludicrous ludicrously ludicrousness ludicrousnesses ludification ludlamite Ludlovian Ludlow ludo ludos luds ludvigia Ludwigia ludwigite Ludwigsburg Ludwigshafen am Rhein lueders' line lueneburgite lues luetic luetics lufberry lufberry circle

inkling

noun

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

noun

noun