an indirect, covert, or helpful suggestion; clue

Give me a hint as to his identity.

a very slight or hardly noticeable amount; soupçon

a hint of garlic in the salad dressing.

perceived indication or suggestion; note; intimation

a hint of spring in the air.

Obsolete . an occasion or opportunity.

to give a hint of

gray skies hinting a possible snowfall.

to make indirect suggestion or allusion; subtly imply (usually fol. by at )

The article hinted at corruption in the mayor's office.

noun

adumbration , advice , allusion , announcement , clue , communication , connotation , denotation , evidence , flea in ear , glimmering , help , idea , implication , impression , inference , information , inkling , innuendo , insinuation , intimation , iota , lead , mention , notice , notion , observation , omen , pointer , print , reference , reminder , scent , sign , signification , smattering , suspicion , symptom , taste , telltale , tinge , tip , tip-off , token , trace , warning , whiff * , whisper , wink * , word to wise , wrinkle * , undercurrent , undertone , cue , suggestion , breath , dash , ghost , hair , semblance , shadow , soupon , streak , touch , whiff , aspersion , forewarning , illusion , imputation , smack , straw in the wind

verb

acquaint , adumbrate , advise , allude to , angle , apprise , bring up , broach , coax , connote , cue , drop , expose , fish * , foreshadow , give an inkling , impart , imply , infer , inform , insinuate , intimate , jog memory , leak * , let it be known , let out of bag , make * , mention , point , prefigure , press , prompt , put flea in ear , recall , refer to , remind , say in passing , shadow , signify , solicit , spring , tip off , tip one’s hand , touch on * , whisper , wink * , suggest , fish , advice , allude , catchword , clue , forewarn , help , indication , inkling , innuendo , insinuation , intimation , moment , notion , outline , overtone , refer , reminder , suggestion , tinge , tip , touch , trace , warn , whiff