I. noun
1.
a slight or indirect pointing out of something and especially of the way to an end
give me a hint on how you would deal with the matter
Synonyms: clue, cue, indication, inkling, intimation, notion, suggestion, telltale, wind
Related Word: innuendo, insinuation; inspiration, prompting; aiming, direction, pointing; key, pointer, tip; advice, assistance
Contrasted words: command, directive, instruction, order
2.
a very small amount or admixture
add a hint of garlic to the salad
Synonyms: breath, cast, dash, intimation, lick, shade, shadow, smack, smatch, smell, soupçon, spice, sprinkling, strain, streak, suggestion, suspicion, taste, tincture, tinge, touch, trace, trifle, twang, vein, whiff, whisper, wink; compare hair
Related Word: adumbration, taint, vestige; particle, scintilla
Contrasted words: abundance, heap, lot
Antonyms: oodles
3.
Synonyms: association 4, connotation, implication, overtone, suggestion, undertone
II. verb
1.
Synonyms: suggest 1, connote, imply, insinuate, intimate
2.
Synonyms: point 2, imply, indicate, suggest
3.
Synonyms: adumbrate 1, foreshadow, prefigurate, prefigure, shadow (forth)
4.
to seek to obtain by sly or indirect means
kept hinting for an invitation to the party
Synonyms: angle, fish
Related Word: beg, coax, plead; importune, press; seek, solicit
Contrasted words: ask (for), demand, insist (on or upon)