What does "hint" mean?

1. (a clue) a small piece of information that helps you solve a puzzle or find an answer. 2. (an indirect suggestion) something you say or do to suggest an idea without saying it directly. 3. (a tiny amount) a very small amount of something, like a taste, smell, or colour. 4. (computing instruction) a special instruction given to a computer program to help it work better. 5. (to suggest indirectly) to suggest something without saying it in a clear or direct way. 6. (pay attention) a word you say to show that you just gave someone a secret suggestion.

How do you use "hint"?

Commonly used with 'at' when the suggestion is indirect.

hint

n. · v. · interj.

US //ˈhɪnt// UK //hˈɪnt// hint

1 a clue (n.)
B1 Intermediate

a small piece of information that helps you solve a puzzle or find an answer.

a piece of information that serves as a clue or provides assistance in solving a problem or mystery.

Example

If you can't guess the password, I can give you a little hint.

Example

The crossword puzzle was exceptionally difficult, but the cryptic hint for seven-across eventually led me to the correct answer.
2 an indirect suggestion (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

something you say or do to suggest an idea without saying it directly.

an indirect or implicit suggestion intended to be understood without a direct statement.

Example

He dropped a hint that he wanted a new watch for his birthday.

Example

She dropped several subtle hints about her dissatisfaction with the project, hoping the manager would intervene without a formal complaint being filed.
- suggestion
- insinuation
- inkling
- demand
- declaration

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3 a tiny amount (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

a very small amount of something, like a taste, smell, or colour.

a very slight trace or barely perceptible amount of a quality or substance.

Example

The sauce has a hint of garlic, but it isn't too strong.

Example

The wine was crisp and dry, finishing with a delicate hint of green apple and toasted oak on the palate.
- abundance
- excess
4 computing instruction (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical Computing

a special instruction given to a computer program to help it work better.

a suggestion or instruction provided to a database engine or compiler to optimise query execution or resource allocation.

Example

The developer added a hint to the database query to make it run faster.

Example

By using a join hint, the database administrator forced the optimiser to use a specific index, significantly reducing the execution time of the report.
- instruction
- directive
5 to suggest indirectly (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to suggest something without saying it in a clear or direct way.

to suggest or indicate something indirectly or covertly. Often used with the preposition 'at'.

Example

The clouds are dark, which might hint at a storm coming later.

Example

The CEO hinted at the possibility of a merger during the press conference, though she refused to provide any specific details to the reporters.

Usage

Commonly used with 'at' when the suggestion is indirect.
- imply
- insinuate
- allude
- state
- declare
6 pay attention (interj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

a word you say to show that you just gave someone a secret suggestion.

used to signal that a previous remark was intended as a suggestion or should be heeded. Often repeated for emphasis.

Example

I'm really hungry and the fridge is empty. Hint, hint.

Example

It would be lovely if someone helped with the dishes—hint, hint—before the guests arrive for the evening.

Origin

From Middle English hinten, hynten, variant of henten (“to lay hold of, catch”), from Old English hentan (“to seize, grasp”), from Proto-West Germanic hantijan, from Proto-Germanic hantijaną. Doublet of hent. Related also to hunt.

Idioms3 entries