inkling

/ˈɪŋklɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɪŋklɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈiŋ-kliŋ/ (ame, mw)

inkling — noun

  • inklingsingular
  • inklingsplural

1. A weak feeling or small idea that something may be true or may happen, without e

1.名詞B2
釋義

A weak feeling or small idea that something may be true or may happen, without enough knowledge to be sure.

例句

Élise had an inkling that her brother was hiding something.

inkling + that-clause for a weak suspicion

A strange silence gave Ignacio an inkling that the meeting had gone badly.

give someone an inkling that — common pattern

同義詞
  • hunch

    more informal and more strongly tied to personal instinct

  • suspicion

    often sounds stronger or more worried than inkling

  • notion

    broader and can mean any general idea, not just a weak sense

  • hint

    usually refers to an external clue rather than an inner feeling

反義詞
  • certainty

    complete confidence instead of an uncertain sense

  • proof

    clear evidence that removes the need for an inkling

文法句型

have an inkling that-clause

have an inkling of + noun

not have the faintest inkling why/how

用法筆記

Most often used in phrases like 'have an inkling' and 'not have the faintest inkling'. It usually introduces a that-clause, an of-phrase, or a wh-clause rather than a proven fact.

常見錯誤

❌I have an inkling for the answer.
✅I have an inkling about the answer.' or 'I have an inkling of the answer.
💡use 'about' or 'of' here, not 'for'.