I. hint 1 /hɪnt/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Origin: Probably from hent 'act of seizing' (16-17 centuries) , from Old English hentan 'to seize' ]
1 . something that you say or do to suggest something to someone, without telling them directly:
There have been hints that he may take up coaching.
‘Look, I can’t tell you.’ ‘Oh, come on, give me a hint.’
hint about/as to
Miles had been dropping heavy hints about the cost of petrol.
I made it clear I wasn’t interested in him, but he didn’t take the hint.
2 . a very small amount or sign of something
hint of
‘When?’ he asked with a hint of impatience.
We shall have to turn back if there’s the slightest hint of fog.
3 . a useful piece of advice about how to do something SYN tip
helpful/handy hints
hint on/about
helpful hints on looking after house plants
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ give (somebody) a hint
Come on, what is it? Give me a hint.
▪ drop a hint (=give a hint)
She was dropping quite a few hints about what she'd like for her birthday.
▪ take a/the hint (=to understand a hint and act on it)
Mark took the hint and shut up.
▪ get the hint (=to understand a hint)
I looked hopefully at the cake, but he didn't get the hint.
■ adjectives
▪ a broad/strong/heavy hint (=one that is very easy to understand)
He had dropped a heavy hint that they might get married.
▪ a subtle/gentle hint (=one that is not very easy to understand – sometimes used ironically when someone is being very obvious)
I'm sick of her subtle hints that I'm not welcome here.
▪ a vague hint (=one that is not specific enough to understand)
In his article, he gave only vague hints as to what he had actually done.
■ phrases
▪ I can take a hint (=used when you understand someone's hint)
All right, I can take a hint. I'm leaving.
II. hint 2 BrE AmE verb [intransitive and transitive]
to suggest something in an indirect way, but so that someone can guess your meaning SYN imply
hint at
What are you hinting at?
hint (that)
He hinted strongly that he might be prepared to send troops in.