{
    "term": "hint",
    "partOfSpeech": "noun",
    "ox5000": true,
    "cefr": "c1",
    "definitions": [
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "something that you say or do in an indirect way in order to show somebody what you are thinking",
            "cefr": "c1",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "He gave a **broad hint** *(= one that was obvious)* that he was thinking of retiring."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Should I **drop a hint** *(= give a ) to Matt?"
                },
                {
                    "text": "He resented any hint that he might be to blame."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He gave a broad hint that he was on the verge of leaving."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I dropped a few subtle hints about the payment being due."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Is that a hint to me to leave?"
                },
                {
                    "text": "OK, I get the hint!"
                },
                {
                    "text": "a hint from my boss about my absences from the office"
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["big", "broad", "clear"],
                "verb + hint": ["drop", "give (somebody)", "catch"],
                "preposition": ["hint about", "hint from", "hint to"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "something that suggests what will happen in the future",
            "cefr": "c1",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "At the first hint of trouble, they left."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The opening scene gives us a hint of things to come."
                },
                {
                    "text": "There were early hints that their marriage might be in trouble."
                },
                {
                    "text": "At the first hint of trouble, I will call the police."
                },
                {
                    "text": "That was the first hint we had that things were going wrong."
                }
            ],
            "synonyms": "sign",
            "topics": ["Suggestions and advice"],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["big", "broad", "clear"],
                "verb + hint": ["drop", "give (somebody)", "catch"],
                "preposition": ["hint about", "hint from", "hint to"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 3,
            "definition": "a small amount of something",
            "sensetop": "hint (of something)",
            "cefr": "c1",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "a hint of a smile"
                },
                {
                    "text": "There was more than a hint of sadness in his voice."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The walls were painted white with a hint of peach."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Gail searched his face for the slightest hint of regret."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Do I detect a hint of jealousy in your voice?"
                },
                {
                    "text": "He showed not a hint of remorse."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Her voice betrayed a hint of uneasiness."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She felt the first hint of panic as the train pulled into the station."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The slightest hint of gossip upset her."
                },
                {
                    "text": "a dish with a strong hint of garlic"
                },
                {
                    "text": "‘It won't take long,’ he persisted, without the slightest hint of apology."
                },
                {
                    "text": "There was a hint of amusement in his voice."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He vowed that no hint of scandal would ever be attached to him."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Her eyes held a hint of mockery."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["strong", "barest", "faint"],
                "verb + hint": ["detect", "notice", "sense"],
                "preposition": ["hint of"],
                "phrases": ["at the first hint of something"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 4,
            "definition": "a small piece of practical information or advice",
            "sensetop": "hint (on something)",
            "cefr": "c1",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "handy hints on saving money"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The teacher’s book gives useful hints on how to develop reading skills."
                },
                {
                    "text": "It gives handy hints about what to buy at the local market."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The book gives some useful hints about how to plan your garden."
                },
                {
                    "text": "a book full of handy hints on painting and decorating"
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Suggestions and advice"],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["handy", "helpful", "practical"],
                "verb + hint": ["give (somebody)", "offer (somebody)"],
                "preposition": ["hint about", "hint on"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to understand what somebody wants you to do even though they tell you in an indirect way",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "I thought they'd never go—some people just can't take a hint."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Sarah hoped he'd take the hint and leave her alone."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Can't you take a hint and leave me alone?"
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "pronunciations": {
        "uk": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/hɪnt/",
                "audio": "hi/hint/hint__gb_1.mp3"
            }
        ],
        "us": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/hɪnt/",
                "audio": "hi/hint/hint__us_1.mp3"
            }
        ]
    },
    "wordOrigin": "early 17th cent. (in the sense ‘occasion, opportunity’): apparently from obsolete hent ‘grasp, get hold of’, from Old English hentan, of Germanic origin; related to hunt. The basic notion is “something that may be taken advantage of”."
}