Definition of "hint" in English

noun

1. A clue.

   • I needed a hint to complete the crossword.

2. An implicit suggestion that avoids a direct statement.

   • He gave me a hint that my breath smelt.

3. A small, barely detectable amount.

   • There was a hint of irony in his voice.
   • I could taste a hint of lemon in my iced water.

4. (computing) 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; an instance of hinting.

   • This font does not scale well to small sizes; the hints for the 10-point letter 'g' still need work.

5. (databases) An instruction to the database engine as to how a query should be executed, for example whether to use an index or not.

6. (obsolete) An opportunity; occasion; fit time.

verb

1. (intransitive) To imply without a direct statement; to provide a clue.

   • She hinted at the possibility of a recount of the votes.

2. (transitive) To bring to mind by a slight mention or remote allusion; to suggest in an indirect manner.

   • to hint a suspicion

3. (transitive) 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.

interjection

1. (often reduplicated) Signifies that something previously said should be taken as a hint or heeded closely.

   • And yes, as long as you are being a good coder and engaging in safe practices, nothing should go wrong. (Hint, hint.)