If you make a suggestion, you put forward an idea or plan for someone to think about.
The dietitian was helpful, making suggestions as to how I could improve my diet.
Perhaps he'd followed her suggestion of a stroll to the river. [+ of]
I have lots of suggestions for the park's future.
[Also + for]
Synonyms: recommendation, proposal, proposition, plan More Synonyms of suggestion
2. countable noun [oft NOUN that]
A suggestion is something that a person says which implies that something is the case.
We reject any suggestion that the law needs amending.
There are suggestions that he might be supported by the Socialists.
3. singular noun [NOUN that]
If there is no suggestionthat something is the case, there is no reason to think that it is the case.
There is no suggestion whatsoever that the two sides are any closer to agreeing.
There is absolutely no suggestion of any mainstream political party involvement.
[Also + of]
Synonyms: hint, implication, insinuation, intimation More Synonyms of suggestion
4. countable noun [usually singular]
If there is a suggestionof something, there is a slight amount or sign of it.
...that fashionably faint suggestion of a tan. [+ of]
...a firm, well-sprung mattress with not one suggestion of a sag. [+ of]
Synonyms: trace, touch, hint, shadow More Synonyms of suggestion
5. uncountable noun
Suggestion means giving people a particular idea by associating it with other ideas.
The power of suggestion is very strong.
Synonyms: trace More Synonyms of suggestion
suggestion in British English
(səˈdʒɛstʃən)
noun
1.
something that is suggested
2.
a hint or indication
a suggestion of the odour of violets
3. psychology
the process whereby the mere presentation of an idea to a receptive individual leads to the acceptance of that idea
See also autosuggestion
suggestion in American English
(səgˈdʒɛstʃən; səˈdʒɛstʃən)
noun
1.
a suggesting or being suggested
2.
something suggested
3.
the process by which an idea is brought to the mind through its connection or association with an idea already in the mind
4.
a faint hint or indication; small amount; trace
a suggestion of boredom in her tone
5. Psychology
a.
the inducing of an idea that is accepted or acted on readily and uncritically, as in hypnosis
b.
the idea induced or the stimulus used to induce it
Word origin
ME < OFr suggestioun < L suggestio
Examples of 'suggestion' in a sentence
suggestion
He is similarly quick to dismiss suggestions that they are a literary power couple.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Helpful suggestions can be offered by the first team to make their attempts more amusing.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Make your suggestions full of feeling and excitement.
Austin, Valerie Self-Hypnosis (1994)
Often they have ideas and suggestions and are able to offer a fresh perspective.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
There is no suggestion that the two men knew each other.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Yet there is the suggestion of something more.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
You reject suggestions on how to do things differently because you are sure your way is best.
O'Keeffe, John Your One Week Way to Mind-Fitness (1994)
What if he hides under the duvet at the mere suggestion of some saucy antics?
The Sun (2014)
He dismissed suggestions that the brands were less exciting than some competitors.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Can you make suggestions for cutting this book back?
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
His advice has been invaluable and he is always on hand with ideas and suggestions.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Then two suggestions were put to me.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It combines invaluable advice on how you can plan for a secure future with suggestions for creative and fulfilling activities.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
To look in the mirror without judgment or negative anticipation can be a useful suggestion at particular times in some treatments.
Bloom, Carol & Gitter, Andrea (contributor) & Gutwill, Susan (contributor) & Kogel,Laura (contributor) & Zaphiropoulos, Lela (contributor) Eating Problems: A Feminist Psychoanalytic Treatment Model (1994)
Various preposterous suggestions were put forward.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But you can only stand open-mouthed at the naivety of this particular suggestion.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Most of the answers to these questions include the suggestion that a little religion along the way wouldn't be a bad idea.
Christianity Today (2000)
He added: 'There must be no hint that suggestion has come from me.
The Sun (2006)
Any suggestions, questions, or criticisms would be given a full hearing.
Kiam, Victor Going For It!: How to Succeed As an Entrepreneur (1986)
No mention of his name in the press; no suggestion of Russian involvement and no talk of hit men.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In other languages
suggestion
British English: suggestion /səˈdʒɛstʃən/ NOUN
If you make a suggestion, you put forward an idea or plan for someone to think about.
He made some suggestions for improvements.
American English: suggestion
Arabic: اِقْتِراح
Brazilian Portuguese: sugestão
Chinese: 建议
Croatian: prijedlog
Czech: návrh
Danish: forslag
Dutch: suggestie
European Spanish: sugerencia
Finnish: ehdotus
French: suggestion
German: Vorschlag
Greek: εισήγηση
Italian: suggerimento
Japanese: 提案
Korean: 제안
Norwegian: forslag
Polish: sugestia
European Portuguese: sugestão
Romanian: sugestie
Russian: предложение
Latin American Spanish: sugerencia
Swedish: förslag
Thai: คำแนะนำ
Turkish: öneri
Ukrainian: пропозиція
Vietnamese: gợi ý
Chinese translation of 'suggestion'
suggestion
(səˈdʒɛstʃən)
n(c)
(= proposal) 建议(議) (jiànyì) (条(條), tiáo)
(= indication) 暗示 (ànshì)
(= association) 联(聯)想 (liánxiǎng)
a suggestion of sth细(細)微的迹(跡)象 (xìwēi de jìxiàng)
to make a suggestion提建议(議) (tí jiànyì)
1 (noun)
Definition
something that is suggested
I have lots of suggestions for the park's future.
Synonyms
recommendation
The committee's recommendations are unlikely to be made public.
proposal
the government's proposals to abolish free health care
proposition
I want to make you a business proposition.
plan
She met her creditors to propose a plan for making repayments.
motion
The conference is now debating the motion.
submission
A written submission has to be prepared.
2 (noun)
Definition
a hint or indication
There is absolutely no suggestion of any mainstream political party involvement.
Synonyms
hint
I'd dropped a hint about having an exhibition of his work.
implication
The implication was obvious: vote for us or you'll be sorry.
insinuation
It isn't right to bring a person down by rumour and insinuation.
intimation
I did not have any intimation that he was going to resign.
3 (noun)
that fashionably faint suggestion of a tan
Synonyms
trace
touch
She thought she might have a touch of flu.
hint
I glanced at her and saw no hint of irony on her face.
shadow
The faintest shadow of a frown creased that angelic face.
impression
breath
It was left to her to add a breath of common sense.
indication
He gave no indication that he was ready to compromise.
whisper
There is a whisper of conspiracy about the whole affair.
suspicion
large blooms of white with a suspicion of pale pink
ghost
He gave the ghost of a smile.
intimation
4 (noun)
The power of suggestion is very strong.
Synonyms
trace
Wash them in cold water to remove all traces of sand.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of breath
Definition
a suggestion or slight evidence
It was left to her to add a breath of common sense.
Synonyms
trace,
suggestion,
hint,
whisper,
suspicion,
murmur,
undertone,
intimation
in the sense of ghost
Definition
a faint trace
He gave the ghost of a smile.
Synonyms
trace,
shadow,
suggestion,
hint,
suspicion,
glimmer,
semblance
in the sense of implication
Definition
an act or instance of suggesting, implying, or being implied
The implication was obvious: vote for us or you'll be sorry.
Synonyms
suggestion,
hint,
inference,
meaning,
conclusion,
significance,
presumption,
overtone,
innuendo,
intimation,
insinuation,
signification
Synonyms of 'suggestion'
suggestion
Explore 'suggestion' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of indication
He gave no indication that he was ready to compromise.
Synonyms
sign,
mark,
evidence,
warning,
note,
signal,
suggestion,
symptom,
hint,
clue,
manifestation,
omen,
inkling,
portent,
intimation,
forewarning,
wake-up call
in the sense of insinuation
Definition
an act or the practice of insinuating
It isn't right to bring a person down by rumour and insinuation.
Synonyms
implication,
suggestion,
hint,
allusion,
innuendo
in the sense of intimation
I did not have any intimation that he was going to resign.
Synonyms
hint,
warning,
suggestion,
indication,
allusion,
inkling,
insinuation
in the sense of motion
Definition
a formal proposal to be discussed and voted on in a debate or meeting
The conference is now debating the motion.
Synonyms
proposal,
suggestion,
recommendation,
proposition,
submission
in the sense of plan
Definition
a method thought out for doing or achieving something
She met her creditors to propose a plan for making repayments.
Synonyms
scheme,
system,
design,
idea,
programme,
project,
proposal,
strategy,
method,
suggestion,
procedure,
plot,
device,
scenario,
proposition,
contrivance
in the sense of proposal
Definition
a suggestion put forward for consideration
the government's proposals to abolish free health care
Synonyms
suggestion,
plan,
programme,
scheme,
offer,
terms,
design,
project,
bid,
motion,
recommendation,
tender,
presentation,
proposition,
overture,
proffer
in the sense of proposition
Definition
a proposal or offer
I want to make you a business proposition.
Synonyms
proposal,
plan,
suggestion,
scheme,
bid,
motion,
recommendation
in the sense of shadow
Definition
a hint or faint trace
The faintest shadow of a frown creased that angelic face.
Synonyms
hint,
suggestion,
trace,
suspicion,
ghost,
flicker,
glimmer
in the sense of submission
Definition
something submitted, such as a proposal
A written submission has to be prepared.
Synonyms
proposal,
offer,
proposition,
argument,
suggestion,
motion,
recommendation,
contention
in the sense of suspicion
Definition
a slight trace
large blooms of white with a suspicion of pale pink
Synonyms
trace,
touch,
hint,
shadow,
suggestion,
strain,
shade,
streak,
tinge,
glimmer,
soupçon
Additional synonyms
in the sense of touch
Definition
a small amount
She thought she might have a touch of flu.
Synonyms
bit,
spot (British),
trace,
drop,
taste,
suggestion,
hint,
dash,
suspicion,
pinch,
smack,
small amount,
tinge,
whiff,
jot,
speck,
smattering,
intimation,
tincture
in the sense of whisper
There is a whisper of conspiracy about the whole affair.