hint
gb/hˈɪnt/ us/hˈɪnt/
B1
English
~ 9000
célzás, céloz, utal, leheletnyi, tipp
NOUN
B1
1
célzás
B1
Usage pattern:
to give [someone] a hint about [something]
He didn’t ask directly, but his comments were a clear hint that he wanted a promotion.
Nem kérte nyíltan, de a megjegyzései egyértelmű célzások voltak arra, hogy előléptetést szeretne.
If you want to leave, maybe you should take the hint and say goodbye.
Ha el akarsz menni, talán vehetnéd a célzást, és elköszönhetnél.
She dropped a hint about wanting a bicycle for her birthday.
My teacher gave us a helpful hint about what would be on the test.
That joke was a not-so-subtle hint that they were unhappy with the decision.
Learner examples
He gave me a hint that the answer was wrong.
Célzott rá, hogy rossz a válasz.
She dropped a hint that she was tired and wanted to go home.
Elejtett egy célzást, hogy fáradt, és haza szeretne menni.
I did not understand his hint, so I asked him to say it clearly.
Can you give me a hint about where you put my keys?
Her hint was very clear, but he still did not get it.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "hint" with "advice". A "hint" is usually indirect and often small, while "advice" is usually clear, direct help about what you should do.
Meaning
Indirect suggestion or advice
Collocations
give a hint
|drop a hint
|take a hint
|subtle hint
|broad hint
|a gentle hint
Synonyms
suggestion (More general and can be direct or indirect, while a hint is specifically indirect and often softer.)
Antonyms
order (An order is a clear, direct instruction, the opposite of a soft, indirect hint.)
Themes
communication
|social
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A careful or quiet way of telling someone something, without saying it in a clear and direct way.
An indirect remark or action that gently suggests what someone should do, think, or understand without saying it openly.
VERB
B2
2
Usage pattern:
to hint at [something]
She hinted that she might be leaving the company next year.
Arra célzott, hogy jövőre talán távozik a cégtől.
The manager hinted at possible changes to the bonus system.
A vezető utalt a bónuszrendszer esetleges változtatásaira.
His smile seemed to hint that he already knew the answer.
Early results hint that the new drug could be effective.
The dark clouds hinted at a storm later in the day.
Learner examples
He hinted that he did not like the plan.
Célzott rá, hogy nem tetszik neki a terv.
The teacher hinted at the correct answer.
A tanár utalt a helyes válaszra.
Her face hinted that she was angry.
News reports hint that prices will go up.
She did not say it, but she hinted that she was bored.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "hint" transitively with a direct object, as in *"He hinted me"*. In most cases, English uses a preposition: "He hinted to me" or "He hinted that he was tired" or "He hinted at a problem."
Meaning
To suggest indirectly or subtly
Collocations
hint at
|hint strongly
|hint vaguely
|hint that
|politicians hint
|reports hint
Synonyms
imply (Slightly more formal and logical; "hint" often feels softer or more personal.)
Antonyms
state (To state something is to say it clearly and directly, the opposite of hinting.)
Themes
communication
|emotions
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To say or show something in a quiet, indirect way, so that people must guess part of the meaning.
To suggest or indicate something in an indirect or subtle way, rather than stating it clearly.
NOUN
B2
3
leheletnyi
B2
Usage pattern:
a hint of [quality]
This sauce has a hint of garlic that doesn’t overpower the other flavors.
A szószban egy leheletnyi fokhagyma érződik, de nem nyomja el a többi ízt.
There was a hint of sadness in her voice.
Egy leheletnyi szomorúság volt a hangjában.
The sky showed just a hint of pink at sunrise.
He spoke calmly, without a hint of anger.
The design includes a hint of blue to make the logo stand out.
Learner examples
The cake has a hint of orange.
A süteményben egy leheletnyi narancsízt érezni.
I heard a hint of fear in his voice.
Egy leheletnyi félelmet hallottam a hangjában.
There is a hint of green in her eyes.
The room was dark, with only a hint of light.
He smiled, but there was a hint of pain on his face.
Common mistake:
Learners may think "hint" in this sense is always about taste, but it is also common for color, emotion, smell, or attitude (e.g. "a hint of sadness", "a hint of blue").
Meaning
Very small amount or trace
Collocations
a hint of lemon
|a hint of spice
|a hint of color
|a hint of sadness
|a hint of irony
|without a hint of
Synonyms
trace (Very close in meaning; "trace" can sound slightly more formal or technical.)
Antonyms
a lot (A large amount is the opposite of a very small amount or trace.)
Themes
food
|description
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A tiny amount of something, like a taste, color, or feeling, that you can just notice.
A very small amount or trace of a quality, such as a taste, color, smell, or feeling, that is just noticeable.
NOUN
B1
4
tipp
A2
Usage pattern:
a hint for [doing something]
If you get stuck on the puzzle, click here for a hint.
Ha elakadsz a feladványban, kattints ide egy tippért.
The instructions include a few useful hints for first-time users.
Az útmutató néhány hasznos tippet is tartalmaz azoknak, akik először használják.
The website offers hints and tips for learning vocabulary.
The teacher wrote a small hint on the board to guide us.
Could you give me a hint? I have no idea where to start.
Learner examples
The game gives you a hint when you are stuck.
A játék tippet ad, amikor elakadsz.
I asked my friend for a hint on the question.
Tippet kértem a barátomtól a kérdéshez.
This book has many good hints for learning English.
Our teacher wrote a hint next to the hard exercise.
I need a hint, because I cannot find the answer.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "hint" and "tip" as exact synonyms. In everyday English, a "tip" is often practical advice, while a "hint" here is more like a small clue that points toward an answer.
Meaning
Small clue or helpful tip
Collocations
a useful hint
|a hint for beginners
|follow the hint
|online hints
|give a hint
|need a hint
Synonyms
clue ("Clue" is especially common in mysteries and puzzles; "hint" feels slightly softer and can also be advice-like.)
Antonyms
obstacle (An obstacle makes solving a problem harder, the opposite of a helpful hint.)
Themes
education
|games
|problem_solving
|communication
Definition
A little piece of information that helps you find the answer to a question or problem.
A small piece of information or advice that helps someone find an answer or solve a problem.
Grammar
Dictionary form
hint
IPA
GB/hˈɪnt/
US/hˈɪnt/
Syllables & stress
hint (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (hint)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: hint
- Plural: hints
Verb
- Base: hint
- 3rd Person Singular: hints
- Present Participle: hinting
- Past: hinted
Word family
Forms
hints
noun
hinting
verb
hinted
verb
Expressions
a hint of
1/ə hˈɪnt əv/
fixed phrase
A very small amount of something
Used to say there is a tiny amount of a taste, color, feeling, or other quality in something.
Examples
- This tea has a hint of mint.
- Her voice had a hint of anger in it.
- The room was white with just a hint of blue on one wall.
drop a hint
1/dɹˈɑp ə hˈɪnt/
idiom
Mention something indirectly
To say something in a quiet, indirect way so that another person will notice it and understand what you want or think.
Examples
- She keeps dropping hints about wanting a new phone.
- He dropped a hint that he might move to another city.
- I tried to drop a hint that the joke had gone too far.
give someone a hint
1/ɡˈɪv sˈʌmwˌʌn ə hˈɪnt/
fixed phrase
Offer someone an indirect suggestion
To say or do something that quietly shows a person what you want or what they should do, without saying it clearly.
Examples
- Can you give me a hint about what the surprise is?
- He gave me a hint that the meeting might be canceled.
- The teacher gave the class a hint before they started the test.
hint at
1/hˈɪnt ˈæt/
phrasal verb
Suggest something indirectly
To talk or act in a way that makes people think about something, but not say its name or explain it clearly.
Examples
- The article hinted at a possible merger between the two companies.
- She hinted at problems in her marriage without giving details.
- Early data hint at a slowdown in the economy.
take a hint
1/tˈeɪk ə hˈɪnt/
idiom
Understand an indirect message
To understand what someone really means when they do not say it directly, and to change your behavior because of it.
Examples
- I coughed and looked at the door, but he just wouldn’t take a hint and leave.
- She didn’t invite him again, hoping he would take a hint.
- If the audience is bored, maybe the speaker should take a hint and finish early.
without a hint of
1/wɪðˈaʊt ə hˈɪnt əv/
fixed phrase
With no sign of something
Used to say there is no sign or trace of a feeling or quality at all.
Examples
- She answered the question without a hint of fear.
- He apologized without a hint of sarcasm.
- The team accepted the result without a hint of complaint.