hintnoun
uk/hɪnt/us/hɪnt/hint noun (INDIRECT STATEMENT)
B2 [ C ] something that you say or do that shows what you think or want, usually in a way that is not direct:
[ + that ] He's dropped (= given) several hints to the boss that he'll quit if he doesn't get a promotion.
Did she give you any hints about where she was going?
You can't take (= understand) a hint, can you? Just go away and leave me alone!
More examples
- He doesn't take hints very easily, but he'll catch on to what you're saying eventually.
- He hasn't announced his decision officially, but he's dropped several hints.
- Margaret dropped a hint that she'd like to come to the party.
- They dropped several hints that they were about to get married.
- You have to be blunt with him. He can't take a hint.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Suggestions & proposals
- about
- float
- get at sth
- grab
- how about...? idiom
- how does... grab you? idiom
- how/what about...? idiom
- indication
- it wouldn't hurt you to do sth idiom
- might
- offer
- on the table idiom
- point sb towards/in the direction of sth idiom
- posit
- postulate
- proposal
- propose
- put
- put ideas into sb's head idiom
- table
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hint noun (ADVICE)
B2 [ C ] a piece of advice that helps you to do something:
Could you give us a hint about how to do this exercise, please?
This recipe book is full of handy (= useful) hints.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Giving advice
- advice
- advise
- advisory
- backseat driver
- caution
- consultancy
- consulting
- counsellor
- GDA
- lifestyle manager
- mentor
- Monday
- Monday-morning quarterback idiom
- pick
- pick sb's brains idiom
- preach
- professional advice
- talk some sense into sb idiom
- tip
- waste your breath idiom
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hint noun (SMALL AMOUNT)
C2 [ C usually singular ] a very small amount of something:
There's just a hint of brandy in the sauce.
I detected a hint of doubt in his voice.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Words meaning small pieces and amounts
- by a nose idiom
- chip
- clipping
- crumb
- dollop
- droplet
- flake
- germ
- jot
- nose
- pat
- patch
- pennyworth
- pinprick
- ray
- scattering
- scintilla
- shadow
- shard
- shred
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hintverb [ I ]
uk/hɪnt/us/hɪnt/to say or do something that shows what you think or want, usually in a way that is not direct:
[ + (that) ] Mum's hinted (that) she might pay for my trip to Mexico.
He's hinted at the possibility of moving to Canada.
More examples
- My boss hinted that I'm being considered for promotion.
- The minister hinted that he was about to resign.
- They've been hinting at the possibility of launching a take-over bid.
- Sometimes it's better to hint at the truth rather than state it directly.
- The report hinted at the likely outcome.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Suggestions & proposals
- about
- float
- get at sth
- grab
- how about...? idiom
- how does... grab you? idiom
- how/what about...? idiom
- indication
- it wouldn't hurt you to do sth idiom
- might
- offer
- on the table idiom
- point sb towards/in the direction of sth idiom
- posit
- postulate
- proposal
- propose
- put
- put ideas into sb's head idiom
- table
See more results »