Meaning of hint in English

Table of contents

Verb
hint
Definitions
1. drop a hint
Examples
- « intimate by a hint »
Derived terms
Noun
hint
Etymology
early 17th century (in the sense ‘occasion, opportunity’): apparently from obsolete hent ‘grasp, get hold of’, from Old Englishhentan, of Germanic origin; related to hunt. The basic notion is ‘something that may be taken advantage of’
Definitions
1. an indirect suggestion
Examples
- « not a breath of scandal ever touched her »
Derived terms
- intimate
- suggest
2. a slight indication
Derived terms
- suggest
3. a slight but appreciable addition
Examples
- « this dish could use a touch of garlic »
4. a just detectable amount
Examples
- « he speaks French with a trace of an accent »
Derived terms
- trace
5. an indication of potential opportunity
Examples
- « he got a tip on the stock market »
- « a good lead for a job »
Derived terms

Famous quotes

« I gave the couple a hint of a design that would work great with the bones of their home. They weren't ready for it, and they embarrassed themselves and that's too bad. »
Douglas Wilson
« Every parting gives a foretaste of death, every reunion a hint of the resurrection. »
Arthur Schopenhauer
« The greatest thing in family life is to take a hint when a hint is intended-and not to take a hint when a hint isn't intended. »
Robert Frost
« A discerning eye needs only a hint, and understatement leaves the imagination free to build its own elaborations. »
Russell Page
« Think about the comfortable feeling you have as you open your front door. That's but a hint of what we'll feel some day on arriving at the place our Father has lovingly and personally prepared for us in heaven. We will finally - and permanently - be 'at home' in a way that defies description. »
Charles Stanley