hint
/hɪnt/ (bre, ipa) · /hɪnt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈhint/ (ame, mw)
hint — noun
- hintsingular
- hintsplural
1. an indirect remark or action that reveals your thoughts or desires without stati
an indirect remark or action that reveals your thoughts or desires without stating them openly — for example, saying you are thirsty in the hope that someone offers you a drink
Andrew kept dropping hints about wanting a new watch for his birthday.
drop a hint — make an indirect suggestion
Kasia gave us a hint by writing the first letter of each answer.
give a hint — provide an indirect clue
Sirin finally took the hint and left the room when everyone started yawning.
Antonia gave her brother a subtle hint about the surprise party by mentioning the date.
- clue
more concrete; usually points to a puzzle or problem to solve
- suggestion
more direct and less cautious than a hint
- signal
can be nonverbal and more intentional
文法句型
hint + about/as to + noun
hint + that-clause
2. a practical suggestion that makes it easier to complete a task — for example, a
a practical suggestion that makes it easier to complete a task — for example, a cooking tip that saves time or exam advice that improves your score
Putri's grandmother shared some helpful hints for removing stains from clothes.
helpful hints — practical advice collocation
Vivek read the gardening hints in the magazine before planting his first vegetables.
The travel website offers hints on how to save money during long holidays.
Each chapter in the cookbook begins with useful hints for beginner chefs.
文法句型
hint + on + noun/noun phrase
hint + for + noun/noun phrase
3. a barely noticeable amount of a quality, flavour, or colour — for example, a hin
a barely noticeable amount of a quality, flavour, or colour — for example, a hint of lemon in a cake or a hint of sadness in someone's voice
There was only a hint of chilli in the sauce, so it was not spicy.
a hint of [something] — pattern for a small amount of a quality
The sky showed a hint of pink as the sun rose over the hills.
Femi's voice carried a soft hint of sadness when he talked about his childhood home.
The soup had a faint hint of garlic that reminded Eshe of her mother's kitchen.
文法句型
a hint of + noun
用法筆記
Always used in the singular with 'a' before it. Followed by 'of' and a noun describing a taste, colour, emotion, or quality. Cannot be used with numbers ('two hints of lemon').
常見錯誤
4. a sign of what is likely to come or what a situation truly is — for example, fal
a sign of what is likely to come or what a situation truly is — for example, falling sales that point to economic trouble
Falling house prices were the first hint that the local economy was slowing down.
first hint that — pattern for an early signal of something
The children's sudden silence was our first hint that something was wrong.
The teacher's worried expression was the only hint that the news was bad.
Piotr took the sudden quiet as a hint that the meeting was about to start.
- sign
more general and broader in meaning; a hint is more subtle than a sign
- indication
more formal and neutral in tone
- clue
suggests a problem to solve rather than a future event
文法句型
a hint + that-clause
用法筆記
Often used with 'first' to mark the earliest indication of a change. Commonly followed by a that-clause explaining what is about to happen.
hint — verb
- hintpresent simple I / you / we / they
- hints3rd person singular
- hinting-ing form
- hintedpast simple
1. to express your thoughts or desires through indirect words or actions — for exam
to express your thoughts or desires through indirect words or actions — for example, glancing at your watch to suggest you need to leave
Wei hinted that he would like to visit Japan during the summer holidays.
hint + that-clause — most common structure
Gabriela hinted at possible changes to the team schedule without giving details.
hint at + noun — indirect reference pattern
Nala hinted about her birthday plans but refused to tell anyone the full story.
Haruto hinted broadly that he expected a promotion after finishing the big project.
文法句型
hint + that-clause
hint at + noun
hint about + noun
用法筆記
Common mistake: learners often add an indirect object ('hint someone something'). This is incorrect. Use 'hint that...' (clause) or 'hint at...' (noun phrase). The passive form 'it was hinted that...' is used in formal writing.