Hint Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

Psychology

• Hints are used in learning and memory as they can trigger recall of information that might otherwise be forgotten.
• Providing hints during problem-solving can reduce anxiety and help maintain motivation, especially in educational settings.

Game Design

• In game development, hints are commonly integrated to guide players through challenges, enhancing user experiences without revealing too much.
• Many mystery games use hints to keep players engaged, allowing them to piece together the story without giving everything away.

Literature

• Authors often use hints in narratives to foreshadow events, creating suspense and encouraging readers to pay attention to details.
• In detective stories, subtle hints often lead readers to deduce important clues before the main character does.

Pop Culture

• Television shows and movies frequently employ hints in plots, leaving breadcrumbs for viewers to solve mysteries along with the characters.
• Popular escape room games rely heavily on hints, challenging teams to solve puzzles by deciphering clues provided throughout the experience.

Main points about word origin

• The word 'hint' originated in the early 14th century, deriving from the Middle English term 'hinten', meaning to suggest indirectly.
• Historically, 'hint' was often used in the context of hunting, where it referred to a small signal given to show where to find something.

The word 'hint' originated in Middle English from the Old English word 'hynt', meaning 'a catch, a hint'. Over time, it evolved to its current meaning of a subtle or indirect suggestion.

See also: hinted, hinting, hints.

At #6,561 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

• ...
• 6558 barn
• 6559 seizure
• 6560 rabbit
• 6561 hint
• 6562 scientist
• 6563 professors
• 6564 celebration
• ...