suggestion
gb/səd͡ʒˈɛst͡ʃən/ us/səd͡ʒˈɛst͡ʃən/
A2
English
~ 1900
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Idea or plan given to someone
An idea or plan that you tell someone so they can think about it.
Usage pattern:
a suggestion for [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'suggestion' with 'advice'. 'Suggestion' is usually one specific idea, while 'advice' can be more general guidance.
Synonyms
proposal (Often more formal and detailed than a suggestion.)
|
recommendation (Implies advice based on knowledge or expertise.)
Antonyms
order (An instruction that must be followed, not just considered.)
Collocations
make a suggestion
|take a suggestion
|helpful suggestion
|good suggestion
|offer a suggestion
Themes
communication
|daily life
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She made a useful suggestion about how to improve the project.
- Do you have any suggestions for a good restaurant nearby?
- His suggestion was to start the meeting earlier.
- I liked her suggestion to add more colors to the design.
Learner examples
- I have a suggestion for dinner.
- Can I give you a suggestion?
- That is a good suggestion.
- He made a suggestion to go to the park.
Noun
B2
entity
2
Slight sign or indication of something
A small sign that shows something may be true.
Usage pattern:
a suggestion of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with the main meaning of 'suggestion' as an idea. This sense is about subtle signs, not proposals.
Synonyms
trace (A very small amount or sign of something.)
|
hint (An indirect sign or clue about something.)
Antonyms
certainty (A complete assurance without any doubt or subtlety.)
Collocations
a suggestion of doubt
|a suggestion of a smile
|faint suggestion
|slight suggestion
Themes
observation
|description
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- There was a suggestion of sadness in her voice.
- The room had a faint suggestion of lavender in the air.
- He spoke without any suggestion of anger.
Learner examples
- I saw a suggestion of fear in his eyes.
- There is no suggestion of rain today.
- Her face showed a suggestion of surprise.
Grammar
Dictionary form
suggestion
IPA
GB/səd͡ʒˈɛst͡ʃən/
US/səd͡ʒˈɛst͡ʃən/
Syllables & stress
sug - ges - tion (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ges)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: suggestion
- Plural: suggestion, suggestions
Word family
Forms
suggestions
noun
Core family
suggest
verb A2
Related words
suggestive
adjective B2
Advanced or less common
suggestively
adverb
suggestible
adjective
Expressions
just a suggestion
1/d͡ʒˈʌst ə səd͡ʒˈɛst͡ʃən/
fixed phrase
Optional idea, not an order
Used to say that what you said is only an idea and not something that must be done.
Examples
- It's just a suggestion — you don't have to do it.
- That was just a suggestion, not a rule.
make a suggestion
1/mˈeɪk ə səd͡ʒˈɛst͡ʃən/
fixed phrase
Offer an idea or plan
To tell someone your idea so they can think about it.
Examples
- May I make a suggestion before we start?
- She made a suggestion to improve the menu.
take someone's suggestion
1/tˈeɪk sˈʌmwˌʌnz səd͡ʒˈɛst͡ʃən/
fixed phrase
Accept and use another's idea
To agree with and do what someone suggested.
Examples
- I took his suggestion and tried the new café.
- They took her suggestion to change the meeting time.