Cool MateHint hint vs Suggestion
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Hint hint
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Suggestion
Top 2,000 (common)A2noun
Most formal: SuggestionMost common: Suggestion
| Hint hint | Suggestion | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //hɪnt hɪnt//🇺🇸 //hɪnt hɪnt// | 🇬🇧 /["/səˈdʒestʃən/"]/🇺🇸 /["/səˈdʒestʃən//səɡˈdʒestʃən/"]/ |
| Meaning | A phrase used to suggest something indirectly. | An idea that you give to someone about what they could do. |
| Example | I love this restaurant; hint hint, maybe we should come here again soon. | I have a suggestion for our next project that I believe will improve our results. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | A2 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | take a hint, drop a hint, hint at something, hint of humor | constructive, excellent, good, have, come up with, give somebody, box, at the suggestion of, suggestion about, suggestion as to, amid suggestions that…, be open to suggestion, be open to suggestions, constructive, excellent, good, have, come up with, give somebody, box, at the suggestion of, suggestion about, suggestion as to, amid suggestions that…, be open to suggestion, be open to suggestions, implicit, hypnotic, by suggestion, through suggestion, the power of suggestion, faint, mere, slightest, carry, have, at the suggestion of, suggestion of |
| Antonyms | - | disapproval, rejection |
| Common mistakes | Used in overly formal settings where direct communication is preferred., Assuming the listener understands the hint without additional context., Using it too frequently can come off as annoying or unclear. | Using 'suggestion' when a more forceful term like 'order' is needed., Confusing 'suggestion' with 'suggestive,' which has a different meaning., Saying 'give a suggestion' instead of 'make a suggestion.' |
| Usage notes | Typically used in casual conversation to indicate that something is obvious. Often used when someone is trying to lead another to understand a suggestion without stating it directly. | Use 'suggestion' in both casual and formal contexts. It’s appropriate when offering advice or ideas but should be avoided in situations requiring direct commands or instructions. |
Frequently asked questions: Hint hint vs Suggestion
What's the difference between Hint hint and Suggestion?
Hint hint: A phrase used to suggest something indirectly. Suggestion: An idea that you give to someone about what they could do.
Which is more formal: Hint hint and Suggestion?
Suggestion is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Hint hint and Suggestion?
Suggestion is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Hint hint: I love this restaurant; hint hint, maybe we should come here again soon. Suggestion: I have a suggestion for our next project that I believe will improve our results.
Can I use Hint hint and Suggestion interchangeably?
Not always. Hint hint and Suggestion are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.