/ hɪnt; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
something that you say or do in an indirect way in order to show sb what you are thinking :
He gave a broad hint (= one that was obvious) that he was thinking of retiring.
Should I drop a hint (= give a hint ) to Matt?
2.
something that suggests what will happen in the future
SYN sign :
At the first hint of trouble, they left.
3.
[ usually sing. ] hint (of sth) a small amount of sth
SYN suggestion , trace :
a hint of a smile
There was more than a hint of sadness in his voice.
The walls were painted white with a hint of peach.
4.
[ usually pl. ] hint (on sth) a small piece of practical information or advice
SYN tip :
handy hints on saving money
•
IDIOMS
- take a / the hint
■ verb
hint (at sth) to suggest sth in an indirect way :
[ v ]
What are you hinting at?
[ v ( that )]
They hinted (that) there might be more job losses.
[also v speech ]
••
WORD ORIGIN
early 17th cent. (in the sense occasion, opportunity ): apparently from obsolete hent grasp, get hold of , from Old English hentan , of Germanic origin; related to hunt . The basic notion is “something that may be taken advantage of”.