hint

I UK [hɪnt] / US noun
Word forms "hint":
singular hint plural hints
**

1) [countable] something that you say to show what you are thinking or feeling, without saying it directly

hint that:

Was this a hint that he'd had enough of her company for tonight?

take a/the hint (= understand what someone wants you to do):

She hoped he would take the hint and leave her alone.

drop a hint (= say something in an indirect way):

Sam keeps dropping hints about what he wants for his birthday.

Ferguson has dropped his broadest hint yet that he will retire next year.

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Collocations:
Adjectives frequently used with hint
▪  broad, gentle, heavy, slight, strong, subtle, vague, veiled

2) [singular] a small amount of something

hint of:

There was a hint of impatience in his voice.

yellow with a hint of green

more than a hint of something (= a lot of something):

The profession welcomed the recommendations with more than a hint of relief.

"I am clearly the best man for the job," he declared, without the slightest hint of irony.

a/the hint of a smile:

"Maybe," she replied with the hint of a smile.

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Collocations:
Nouns frequently used with hint
▪  amusement, impatience, irritation, sadness, sarcasm

3) [countable] a sign that something exists or is going to happen

After ten days of negotiations, there was still no hint of a breakthrough.

give no/little hint of something:

The early morning weather gave no hint of the storms to come.

4) [countable] a useful suggestion or piece of advice

helpful/handy hints:

This leaflet is full of handy hints about safety in the home.

hint on:

hints on how to improve your computer skills

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- give someone a hint

II UK [hɪnt] / US verb [intransitive/transitive]
Word forms "hint":
present tense I/you/we/they hint he/she/it hints present participle hinting past tense hinted past participle hinted
*

to say what you are thinking or feeling in an indirect way

hint (that):

The Prime Minister hinted that the crisis could continue throughout the summer.

hint at:

Officials are hinting at the possibility of signing an agreement this week.