# suspicion

/səˈspɪʃən/ (US) · /səspˈɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/suspicion
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. feeling of guilt

noun · CEFR B2

a feeling that someone has done something wrong or dishonest.

For teachers: the act of suspecting someone of a crime, error, or misdeed based on limited evidence.

- The police had a strong suspicion that the shopkeeper was lying about the robbery.
- Initial suspicion fell upon the accountant after several unexplained discrepancies were discovered during the internal audit.

### 2. a hunch or belief

noun · CEFR B2

a feeling that something is true or likely to happen.

For teachers: a belief or opinion based on intuition or circumstantial evidence rather than direct proof.

- I have a sneaking suspicion that they are planning a surprise party for me.
- The lead researcher harboured a growing suspicion that the data had been manipulated before it reached the laboratory.

### 3. a tiny amount

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

a very small amount of something.

For teachers: a slight trace or minute indication of a quality or substance.

- The soup was delicious, with just a suspicion of garlic in the sauce.
- The diplomat's voice carried a suspicion of irony that was not lost on the experienced negotiators.

### 4. to suspect

verb · CEFR C2 · Dialect

to think that someone is guilty or that something is true.

For teachers: to suspect or have a feeling of doubt; used as a verb in specific regional varieties.

- I suspicioned that he wasn't telling the whole truth about where he'd been.
- The locals began to suspicion the newcomers after several strange occurrences near the old mill.

Usage: This verb form is non-standard and typically restricted to specific regional dialects.

## Examples

- I have a strong suspicion that she is lying.
- The police officer's suspicion grew when the witness began to change the details of his story.
- Despite the lack of forensic evidence, the detective acted on a lingering suspicion that the suspect had returned to the scene of the crime to retrieve the missing documents.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.