Hint vs Tip

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Hint

Top 2,000 (common) C1 noun

Tip

Top 1,000 (very common) A2 noun

Most common: Tip

	Hint	Tip
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 /["/hɪnt/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/hɪnt/"]/	🇬🇧 /["/tɪp/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/tɪp/"]/
Meaning	A small clue or piece of information.	A small amount of money given for a service.
Example	She gave me a subtle hint about the surprise party.	She left a tip for the waiter because the service was excellent.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 2,000 (common)	Top 1,000 (very 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	good, handy, helpful, have, give somebody, offer (somebody), tip for, tip on, good, handy, helpful, have, give somebody, offer (somebody), tip for, tip on, good, handy, helpful, have, give somebody, offer (somebody), tip for, tip on, big, generous, good, give somebody, leave somebody, get, northern, etc., pointed, tip of, northern, etc., pointed, tip of
Antonyms	guess, certainty, statement	withhold, refuse
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'.	Confusing 'tip' as a piece of advice instead of money., Forgetting to tip in cultures where it's expected., Using 'tipped' as a noun instead of a verb.
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 'tip' when paying for services like in restaurants, bars, or for taxi drivers. It's usually 10-20% of the total bill. Avoid using it in very formal settings where tipping isn't common.

See it in real clips

House Of Cards › S1 E1

A hint.

Hint

Or tipping.

The Pitt › S1 E1

We're looking for the hyperechoic tip.

Top Gear › S1 E1

money saving tip of them all.

Or tipping.

The Pitt › S1 E1

We're looking for the hyperechoic tip.

Tip

Frequently asked questions: Hint vs Tip

What's the difference between Hint and Tip?

Hint: A small clue or piece of information. Tip: A small amount of money given for a service.

Which is more common: Hint and Tip?

Tip is the most common in everyday English.

Which is more advanced: Hint and Tip?

Hint is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.

Are Hint and Tip the same CEFR level?

Hint: C1, Tip: A2 on the CEFR scale.

What part of speech are Hint and Tip?

Hint: noun, Tip: noun.

Can you show an example of each?

Hint: She gave me a subtle hint about the surprise party. Tip: She left a tip for the waiter because the service was excellent.

Can I use Hint and Tip interchangeably?

Not always. Hint and Tip 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.