Cool MateHint vs Reminder
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Hint
Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
Reminder
Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
| Hint | Reminder | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/hɪnt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/hɪnt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈmaɪndə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈmaɪndər/"]/ |
| Meaning | A small clue or piece of information. | Something to help you remember something. |
| Example | She gave me a subtle hint about the surprise party. | I set a reminder on my phone to call the doctor tomorrow. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | C1 |
| 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, potent, powerful, act as, be, offer, letter, note, postcard, reminder about, reminder of, reminder to, good, potent, powerful, act as, be, offer, letter, note, postcard, reminder about, reminder of, reminder to |
| Antonyms | guess, certainty, statement | forgetfulness, oblivion |
| 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 'reminder' with 'remind' (which is a verb), Using 'reminder' without properly indicating what it is reminding of, Incorrectly pluralizing it as 'reminders' in cases where singular is needed |
| 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 'reminder' in everyday conversation. It's appropriate for informal settings and formal communication, such as in work emails. Avoid using it in overly casual contexts where simpler terms would suffice. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Hint vs Reminder
What's the difference between Hint and Reminder?
Hint: A small clue or piece of information. Reminder: Something to help you remember something.
Are Hint and Reminder the same CEFR level?
Hint: C1, Reminder: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Hint and Reminder?
Hint: noun, Reminder: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Hint: She gave me a subtle hint about the surprise party. Reminder: I set a reminder on my phone to call the doctor tomorrow.
Can I use Hint and Reminder interchangeably?
Not always. Hint and Reminder 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.