hint at — to suggest something indirectly without stating it clearly
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to suggest something indirectly without stating it clearly
Pronunciation (IPA): /hɪnt æt/
Example Sentences
- My mom keeps hinting at wanting grandchildren, but I'm too busy playing video games.
- The teacher hinted at the exam topics during the last class.
- His constant yawning hinted at how boring the meeting was.
hint at
VERB[/hɪnt æt/]
to suggest something indirectly without stating it clearly
to suggest something indirectly without stating it clearly
The glint from the mint car hints at the truth!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The verb 'hint' derives from Middle English 'hinten', originally meaning 'to grasp or seize'. Over time, the semantic range broadened from 'to touch lightly' to 'to suggest indirectly', eventually settling into its modern sense of 'to allude to or imply'.
Breakdown
hint (a subtle suggestion or allusion) + at (directional particle indicating the target or object of the hint). The phrase structure combines a verb of indirect communication with a preposition marking the recipient or subject of the hinted reference.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My mom keeps hinting at wanting grandchildren, but I'm too busy playing video games.”
“The teacher hinted at the exam topics during the last class.”
“His constant yawning hinted at how boring the meeting was.”
“The dark clouds hint at rain this afternoon.”
📚Related Words
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