hint
Looking for the meaning of hint? Explore definitions, parts of speech, and usage examples below.
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A clue.
“I needed a hint to complete the crossword.”
A tacit suggestion that avoids a direct statement.
“He gave me a hint that my breath smelt.”
A small, barely detectable amount of.
“I could taste a hint of lemon in the wine.”
Information in a computer-based font that suggests how the outlines of the font's glyphs should be distorted in order to produce, at specific sizes, a visually appealing pixel-based rendering. Also known as hinting.
“This font does not scale well; at small point sizes it has no hinting at all, and the hints that it has for the 10- and 12-point letter 'g' still need work.”
An opportunity; occasion; fit time.
To suggest tacitly without a direct statement; to provide a clue.
“She hinted at the possibility of a recount of the votes.”
To bring to mind by a slight mention or remote allusion; to suggest in an indirect manner.
“to hint a suspicion”
To develop and add hints to a font.
“The typographer worked all day on hinting her new font so it would look good on computer screens.”
Understanding "hint"
The word **"hint"** is a **noun** in the English language. It is phonetically pronounced as **/hɪnt/**. Explore the detailed meaning, morphological structure, and usage examples for **"hint"** in our dictionary below.
The English language is incredibly vast, and diving into the definition of the word "hint" provides a perfect example of its linguistic depth. Categorized primarily as a noun, the term "hint" holds specific syntactical roles within a sentence, allowing speakers and writers to convey precise meaning. Understanding how this word functions is an excellent step towards mastering advanced English vocabulary and improving overall reading comprehension.
For those looking to perfect their spoken English, noting the phonetic pronunciation of "hint" is crucial. It is typically transcribed as /hɪnt/. Proper enunciation ensures that your intended message is received clearly, preventing miscommunication in both formal and casual settings. Linguistic scholars often track the phonological evolution of words like "hint" to understand broader historical shifts in dialects and accents across different English-speaking populations.
When deciding how to use "hint" in everyday communication, it helps to look at exactly how it operates as a noun. In professional writing, academic essays, and creative literature, choosing the perfect vocabulary word can drastically elevate the tone of the text. Because "hint" carries its own unique connotations and denotations, swapping it for a simpler synonym might dilute the impact of your sentence.
Our comprehensive dictionary tool is designed to provide immediate, reliable definitions for thousands of terms, including "hint". By consistently exploring the nuances of vocabulary—including phonetics (/hɪnt/), part of speech (noun), and usage examples—you can significantly expand your linguistic repertoire. Bookmark this page as a quick reference tool whenever you encounter "hint" in reading materials or wish to incorporate it into your active vocabulary.
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How do I use hint in a sentence?
Refer to the usage examples above to see how "hint" can be used in academic and casual conversations.