hint /hɪnt/noun 6verb 4exclamation 1forms 3phrases 3 noun6 •a small sign or word that helps someone find an answer without being told it directlyI needed a hint to complete the crossword. •An implicit suggestion that avoids a direct statement.He gave me a hint that my breath smelt. •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. •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. •An instruction to the database engine as to how a query should be executed, for example whether to use an index or not. •(no longer used) An opportunity; occasion; fit time.I, not remembering how I cried out then, / Will cry it o'er again: it is a hint / That wrings mine eyes to't. — 1610 verb4 •To imply without a direct statement; to provide a clue.She hinted at the possibility of a recount of the votes. •To bring to mind by a slight mention or remote allusion; to suggest in an indirect manner.VVilling to vvound, and yet afraid to strike, / Just hint a fault and hesitate dislike; […] — 1735 •(nonstandard) To give (a person) a hint; to tip off.If you find the treasure in the video game, please do not hint other players about it. •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. exclamation1 •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.) formshinted · hinting · hints Phrases with hint drop a hintTo reveal a clue or hint about something. Irish hintA very clear and unsubtle indication. take the hintConcede to mounting evidence; wake up and smell the coffee.
