Cool MateHint vs Suggestion
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Hint
Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
Suggestion
Top 2,000 (common)A2noun
| Hint | Suggestion | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/hɪnt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/hɪnt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/səˈdʒestʃən/"]/🇺🇸 /["/səˈdʒestʃən//səɡˈdʒestʃən/"]/ |
| Meaning | A small clue or piece of information. | An idea that you give to someone about what they could do. |
| Example | She gave me a subtle hint about the surprise party. | I have a suggestion for our next project that I believe will improve our results. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | A2 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | big, broad, clear, drop, give (somebody), catch, hint about, hint from, hint to, big, broad, clear, drop, give (somebody), catch, hint about, hint from, hint to, strong, barest, faint, detect, notice, sense, hint of, at the first hint of something, handy, helpful, practical, give (somebody), offer (somebody), hint about, hint on | 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 | guess, certainty, statement | disapproval, rejection |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'hint' as a noun and a verb., Using 'hint' in formal contexts where a clearer statement is better., Forgetting to use 'at' or 'about' after 'hint'. | 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 | Use 'hint' when suggesting something indirectly. It's more formal in writing and more casual in conversation. Avoid using it in situations that require direct communication. | 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. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Hint vs Suggestion
What's the difference between Hint and Suggestion?
Hint: A small clue or piece of information. Suggestion: An idea that you give to someone about what they could do.
Which is more advanced: Hint and Suggestion?
Hint is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Hint and Suggestion the same CEFR level?
Hint: C1, Suggestion: A2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Hint and Suggestion?
Hint: noun, Suggestion: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Hint: She gave me a subtle hint about the surprise party. Suggestion: I have a suggestion for our next project that I believe will improve our results.
Can I use Hint and Suggestion interchangeably?
Not always. 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.