hint
hint
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "hint" is:
/hɪnt/
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
h - voiceless glottal fricative (as in "him")
ɪ - near-close near-back unrounded vowel (short "i" sound, as in "bit")
nt - alveolar nasal (combination of "n" and "t" sounds)
Word Form Variations
The word "hint" has several word form variations depending on its function in a sentence:
Singular:
hint (noun): This is the base form used to refer to a single indirect suggestion or clue.
Plural:
hints (noun): This refers to multiple indirect suggestions or clues.
Verb:
hinted (past tense): This indicates that an indirect suggestion or clue was given in the past. ("She hinted that she was tired.")
hinting (present participle): This describes the act of currently giving an indirect suggestion or clue. ("He was hinting that he wanted pizza for dinner.")
Less common:
hinting (gerund): This form, though not as common, can be used to refer to the act of giving indirect suggestions in general. ("Hinting is a common communication technique.")
Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Noun:
Definition: An indirect suggestion or clue that points towards something without explicitly stating it.
Synonyms: clue, intimation, suggestion, tip, inkling, whisper
Antonyms: direct statement, command, order, explanation
Verb:
Definition: To give an indirect suggestion or clue.
Synonyms: suggest indirectly, intimate, allude to, imply
Antonyms: state directly, express clearly, declare, announce
Less Common:
Gerund (Hinting): The act of giving indirect suggestions or clues.
Synonyms: suggestiveness, indirect communication
Antonyms: directness, explicit communication (Note: There are no direct antonyms for a gerund form)
Examples of Use
Literature:
Book: In Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None, a cryptic nursery rhyme on a piece of paper hints at the upcoming murders on the island (Agatha Christie, And Then There Were None).
Newspapers:
Headline: "Subtle hints in Fed speech suggest possible rate hike" (The New York Times).
Online Publications:
Tech Blog: "The new update hinted at upcoming features for the social media platform" (TechCrunch).
Entertainment:
Movie: In the movie The Matrix, Morpheus hints at a deeper reality beyond the world Neo perceives.
Video Game: During gameplay, a character might hint at the location of a hidden item.
Public Discourse:
Conversation: "She hinted she wasn't feeling well, so I offered to take her home."
Body Language: A person might hint at their discomfort by fidgeting or avoiding eye contact.
Social Media:
Post: "Hinting at some exciting news coming soon!" (Note: On social media, "hinting" can be used playfully to build anticipation.)
10 Famous Quotes Using the term Hint
While quotes directly using the word "hint" aren't as common, here are ten famous quotes that capture the essence of suggestion, implication, or subtle clues:
"The unexamined life is not worth living." - Socrates (This quote implies the importance of self-reflection and seeking deeper understanding.)
"A single death is a tragedy; a million deaths is a statistic." - Joseph Stalin (This cynical quote suggests a disregard for individual lives when dealing with large numbers.)
"All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players." - William Shakespeare (This line implies that life is a performance, with preordained roles for everyone.)
"What a terrible thing to win a war and lose the peace." - Woodrow Wilson (This quote suggests the importance of building a lasting peace after conflict.)
"Clothes make the man." - Mark Twain (This satirical quote implies that outward appearance can significantly influence perception.)
"Elementary, my dear Watson." - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Sherlock Holmes' famous line implies that the answer, though seemingly complex, is based on simple clues.)
"Silence speaks volumes." - Proverb (This proverb implies that unspoken words can carry strong meaning.)
"It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a man, but what comes out of the mouth that defiles a man." - Matthew 15:11 (This biblical quote suggests that a person's character is revealed by their words and actions.)
"A stitch in time saves nine." - Proverb (This proverb implies that addressing a problem early can prevent bigger issues later.)
"Less is more." - Robert Browning (This quote suggests that simplicity and conciseness can be more powerful than excess.)
Etymology
The word "hint" is like a detective's clue! It comes from an old English word "hentan" which means "to grasp" or "to seize." Imagine you're trying to grab something you can't quite see. A hint is like that - it gives you a little nudge in the right direction, but you gotta do some figuring out yourself to get the whole picture.
The first time we saw "hint" being used was around the early 1600s, even Shakespeare used it! Back then, it meant a subtle suggestion, just like it does today. It's like the writer is planting a seed in your mind, and it's up to you to let it grow into an understanding.
Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Hint
Here are some phrases and idioms using the word "hint":
Drop a hint: This means to subtly suggest something without directly saying it. (e.g., "She dropped a hint that she was hungry by looking at her watch.")
Take a hint: This means to understand an indirect suggestion. (e.g., "I kept yawning, but he didn't take the hint and leave.")
Not take a hint: This means to be oblivious to indirect suggestions. (e.g., "He kept asking me about the movie, but he wouldn't take the hint that I didn't want to see it.")
A hint of something: This means a small amount or suggestion of something. (e.g., "There was a hint of sadness in her voice.")
No hint of something: This means there is no sign or suggestion of something. (e.g., "The forecast showed no hint of rain.")
Beat around the bush (without hinting): This means to avoid directly talking about something. (Note: This phrase implies a lack of hinting, whereas "hinting" suggests a more subtle way of getting something across.)
Posts Related to Hint
Source Information
Definition of hint from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.