VocabularyBasePractice words

Meaning & use

hint

noun, verb·Everyday

Last updated

UK/hɪnt/
US/hɪnt/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    An indirect clue or suggestion that helps someone guess something without being told.

    Grammar: Often used with drop or give: drop a hint.

    Patterns

    • a hint about something
    • give someone a hint

    Can you give me a hint about the surprise?

    She dropped a hint that she wanted flowers.

    The teacher gave a hint for the hard question.

  2. nounsingular

    A very small amount of something, such as a taste, color or feeling.

    Grammar: Always used with of: a hint of lemon.

    Patterns

    • a hint of something

    The soup has a hint of garlic.

    There was a hint of sadness in her voice.

    He added a hint of blue to the paint.

  3. nouncountable

    A short piece of practical advice.

    Grammar: Often plural in titles: hints and tips.

    Patterns

    • hints on something

    The magazine lists hints on saving money.

    Here are a few hints for a clean oven.

    She followed his hints for packing light.

  4. verbtransitive or intransitive

    To suggest something indirectly without saying it outright.

    Grammar: Often takes at or that: hint at a secret, hint that you are leaving.

    Patterns

    • hint at something
    • hint that something

    He hinted that he might quit.

    The article hints at a secret deal.

    She hinted strongly that she wanted a lift.

Word forms

pluralhints
third person singularhints
past tensehinted
-ing formhinting

Common combinations

drop a hint
He dropped a hint about the party.
a subtle hint
Her subtle hint went unnoticed.
take the hint
I took the hint and left.
a hint of spice
The sauce has a hint of spice.
hint at something
The report hints at problems ahead.

Synonyms and how they differ

clue
A clue helps solve a puzzle or mystery, while a hint points more gently toward something.
suggestion
A suggestion is an openly offered idea, while a hint is indirect.
trace
Trace means a tiny remaining amount and sounds more technical than a hint of taste or feeling.
tip
A tip is practical advice given openly, while a hint is deliberately incomplete.

Commonly confused: hint or tint? hint or hind?

hint vs tint

A tint is a slight color, not a suggestion or clue.

hint vs hind

Hind means at the back, and has no link to hint.

Practice

She didn't say it directly, but she ___ that she was tired of waiting.

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “hint”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.

Explore more words