suggestive
gb/səd͡ʒˈɛstɪv/ us/səd͡ʒˈɛstɪv/
B2
English
~ 7700
szexuális felhangú, sikamlós, utaló, idéző
B2
1
sikamlós
C1
Usage pattern:
a suggestive [remark/joke/gesture/picture]
The comedian was warned that his suggestive jokes were not appropriate for a family show.
A komikust figyelmeztették, hogy a szexuális felhangú viccei nem illenek egy családi műsorba.
She thought the advertisement was too suggestive for daytime television.
Szerinte a reklám túl sok szexuális utalást tartalmazott a nappali műsorsávhoz.
He made a suggestive comment about her outfit that made everyone uncomfortable.
The dance routine was stylish but not overly suggestive.
They complained that the music video contained several suggestive scenes.
Learner examples
That movie has many suggestive jokes.
Abban a filmben sok sikamlós vicc van.
He told a suggestive story at the party.
A bulin egy sikamlós történetet mesélt.
Some people think this photo is too suggestive.
The teacher said suggestive comments are not okay in class.
The ad is a little suggestive, but it is still on TV.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think 'suggestive' always means 'helpful' or 'giving an idea'. In many everyday contexts, especially with 'joke', 'comment', 'photo', or 'clothes', 'suggestive' usually means 'sexually suggestive'. Be careful with this hidden sexual meaning.
Meaning
indirectly sexual in meaning
Collocations
sexually suggestive
|suggestive joke
|suggestive remark
|suggestive comment
|suggestive dancing
|suggestive pose
Synonyms
risqué (Often used for jokes or entertainment that are a little shocking or rude because of sexual content.)
|
provocative (Broader; can be sexual or simply shocking or stimulating, not always about sex.)
|
sexy (More direct and informal; describes something clearly sexual, not just hinting.)
Antonyms
innocent (Describes jokes or behavior with no hidden sexual meaning.)
|
wholesome (Emphasizes clean, healthy content with no sexual edge.)
Themes
relationships
|media
|emotions
|communication
Definition
Making people think about sex without saying it directly.
Containing a hidden or indirect sexual meaning, especially in a way that is meant to be noticed but not stated openly.
C1
FORMAL
2
utaló
B2
Usage pattern:
[signs/findings] are suggestive of [something]
The test results were suggestive of an infection but not definitive.
A teszteredmények fertőzésre utaltak, de nem voltak perdöntőek.
These patterns are highly suggestive of systematic fraud within the company.
Ezek a mintázatok erősen rendszerszintű csalásra utalnak a vállalaton belül.
Several symptoms are suggestive of pneumonia and require further investigation.
The data is suggestive of a link between air pollution and asthma rates.
Her behavior was suggestive of someone under extreme stress.
Learner examples
These signs are suggestive of heart problems.
Ezek a jelek szívproblémákra utalnak.
The report is suggestive of a serious mistake.
A jelentés súlyos hibára utal.
The doctor said the pain is suggestive of a small injury.
Their questions were suggestive of a lack of trust.
The numbers are suggestive of slow growth.
Common mistake:
Learners often use 'suggest' (the verb) when an adjective is needed, saying *'the symptoms suggest of cancer'* instead of 'the symptoms are suggestive of cancer'. Also, 'suggestive' usually takes the preposition 'of', not *'to'* or *'for'*, in this meaning.
Meaning
indicating something as likely
Collocations
suggestive of fraud
|suggestive of disease
|symptoms suggestive of
|findings suggestive of
|highly suggestive
|strongly suggestive
Synonyms
indicative (Very close in meaning; common in formal and technical writing.)
|
pointing to (Less formal phrase that describes the same idea of indirect evidence.)
Antonyms
inconclusive (Describes evidence that does not clearly support any particular explanation.)
|
irrelevant (Describes information that does not help to show or indicate the thing in question at all.)
Themes
science
|health
|law
Definition
Showing that something is probably true, but not proving it completely.
Serving as indirect evidence that something is probably true or present, especially in formal, scientific, or legal contexts.
C1
3
idéző
B2
Usage pattern:
[something] is suggestive of [something]
The music is strongly suggestive of a calm summer evening by the sea.
A zene erősen egy nyugodt, tengerparti nyári este hangulatát idézi.
Her writing is suggestive of early twentieth‑century travel diaries.
Írásmódja a huszadik század eleji útinaplókat idézi.
The painting is dark and suggestive, leaving much to the viewer's imagination.
The scent was suggestive of her grandmother's kitchen.
The film's minimal dialogue is highly suggestive, allowing viewers to build their own stories.
Learner examples
The song is suggestive of the ocean.
A dal a tengert idézi.
This photo is suggestive of life in the 1980s.
Ez a fotó az 1980-as évek életét idézi.
The smell is suggestive of fresh bread.
The simple drawing is very suggestive and powerful.
His style is suggestive of old black‑and‑white movies.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this with the sexual meaning and avoid it. When used with art, music, writing, smells, or memories, 'suggestive' usually just means 'evocative' or 'reminiscent', not sexual. Also, use 'suggestive of', not *'suggestive to'* in this sense.
Meaning
making you think of something
Collocations
suggestive of the past
|suggestive of childhood
|highly suggestive
|atmospheric and suggestive
|visually suggestive
|richly suggestive
Synonyms
evocative (Very close in meaning; common in art and literature reviews.)
|
reminiscent (Often followed by 'of'; stresses similarity that makes you remember something.)
Antonyms
bland (Describes something that does not create strong images or feelings.)
|
uninspiring (Fails to make you think or feel anything special.)
Themes
art
|memory
|emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Making you think of a special idea, feeling, or time, even though it is not said clearly.
Evoking or calling to mind a particular idea, feeling, place, or time, without stating it directly.
Grammar
Dictionary form
suggestive
IPA
GB/səd͡ʒˈɛstɪv/
US/səd͡ʒˈɛstɪv/
Syllables & stress
sug - gest - ive (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (gest)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: suggestive
Word family
Core family
Related words
suggestible
adjective
Advanced or less common
suggestiveness
noun
suggestibility
noun
Expressions
sexually suggestive
1/sˈɛkʃuəli səd͡ʒˈɛstɪv/
fixed phrase
hinting at sexual content
Describes something that makes people think about sex without showing or saying it clearly.
Examples
- The teacher removed the sexually suggestive poster from the classroom wall.
- Some parents argued that the lyrics were too sexually suggestive for young listeners.
suggestive of
1/səd͡ʒˈɛstɪv əv/
fixed phrase
formal
indirectly showing something
Used to say that something shows or points to another thing in an indirect way.
Examples
- These symptoms are strongly suggestive of a viral infection.
- The design is suggestive of traditional Japanese art.