Word
hinting
Phoneticshint·ing
US/ˈhɪntɪŋ/
UK/hˈɪntɪŋ/
Definition
adj. suggesting something in an indirect way without saying it clearly. You use this to describe a person or a look that shows they have a secret or a hidden meaning.
adj. suggesting or implying something indirectly; expressive of a hidden meaning or intention. Often used as a participial adjective to describe facial expressions or tones of voice.
Examples
“She gave me a hinting look across the table.”
“The manager made several hinting remarks about upcoming changes to the team structure during the morning meeting.”
“His hinting comments regarding the company's financial stability left the investors feeling uneasy, despite the official report's optimistic tone.”
Examples
simple
“She gave me a hinting look across the table.”
contextual
“The manager made several hinting remarks about upcoming changes to the team structure during the morning meeting.”
complex
“His hinting comments regarding the company's financial stability left the investors feeling uneasy, despite the official report's optimistic tone.”
Usage
Often appears as a participial adjective before a noun like 'look', 'smile', or 'remark'.
Real-World Examples
“What kind of human and financial cost is Carney hinting at for 2026?” “Further ahead, some computer models are hinting at higher pressure building into the second week of September which may push warmer air towards the UK again.” Scan code
englishreference.com/q/hinting