How Do You Spell HINT AT?

Pronunciation: [hˈɪnt at] (IPA)

The phrase "hint at" is spelled using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /hɪnt æt/. The "h" is pronounced with a sharp exhalation of breath, followed by the short "i" sound. The "n" sound is a nasal consonant, and the "t" sound is made with a sharp cut of the tongue against the roof of the mouth. The word "at" is pronounced with the short "a" sound, followed by a quick and crisp "t" sound. Used together, "hint at" is a commonly used phrase to suggest something indirectly.

HINT AT Meaning and Definition

1. The phrase "hint at" is idiomatic and commonly used in English language to indicate a subtle or indirect suggestion or allusion made by someone or something. When a person hints at something, they are giving a clue or insinuation without explicitly stating or revealing the entire meaning or intention behind their words or actions. This phrase often signifies a discreet or less obvious way of conveying information or expressing ideas, allowing for a degree of ambiguity or secrecy.

   To "hint at" something typically involves using subtle cues, innuendos, or implications to communicate a message or make someone aware of a particular concept, situation, or course of action. It is a means of dropping hints or providing a slight indication or speculation about something, rather than directly indicating or explicitly mentioning it.

   For instance, one might say, "He hinted at future plans during our conversation," suggesting that the person gave slight indications or suggestions about what might happen in the future without directly revealing the details. Similarly, "The painting hints at a deeper meaning," implies that the artwork contains subtle clues or suggestions that can be interpreted as having a more profound or symbolic significance.

   In essence, the phrase "hint at" refers to the act of subtly or indirectly suggesting or alluding to something, usually by using faint clues, insinuations, or implications rather than overt statements or explicit explanations.

Common Misspellings for HINT AT

• gint at
• bint at
• nint at
• jint at
• uint at
• yint at
• hunt at
• hjnt at
• hknt at
• hont at
• h9nt at
• h8nt at
• hibt at
• himt at
• hijt at
• hiht at
• hinr at
• hinf at
• hing at
• hiny at
• hintat

Etymology of HINT AT

The word "hint at" has its origins in Old English and Middle English.

The word "hint" can be traced back to the Old English word "hentan", which meant "to grasp" or "to seize". Over time, it developed the additional meaning of "to understand" or "to perceive".

The word "at" is a preposition that comes from Middle English, and it denotes a direction or purpose towards something.

So, when "hint" and "at" are combined, "hint at" denotes the act of suggesting or indicating something indirectly, pointing in a particular direction without explicitly stating it. The underlying idea might be the metaphor of grasping or seizing someone's attention with an indirect indication.

Idioms with the word HINT AT

• hint at sth The idiomatic expression "hint at something" means to indirectly suggest or imply something without explicitly stating or revealing it. It involves dropping subtle clues or providing veiled indications about a particular idea or information.
• hint at something The idiom "hint at something" means to suggest or imply something indirectly or subtly, often without explicitly stating it. It involves dropping clues or giving subtle indications about a particular idea or topic without explicitly revealing or expressing it. It is used when someone wants to suggest or insinuate a thought or concept without stating it directly.
• hint at To suggest or indicate something indirectly or subtly.