hint of lemon

USAGE SUMMARY

'hint of lemon' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to refer to a very subtle flavor or scent of lemon. For example, you might say: "This lemon cake has the perfect hint of lemon."

✓ Grammatically correct

Food descriptions

Flavor profiles

Scent descriptions

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Some have a hint of lemon or citrus, which for me ruins the flavor.

The New York Times - Food

There we first tasted fiadone, a cake of brocciu cheese with a hint of lemon.

The New York Times - Travel

Grilled lemon chicken ($15), though, had not a hint of lemon to it.

The New York Times - Food

My sweet-and-sour onions employ balsamic vinegar and saffron along with raisins and currant and a hint of lemon.

The New York Times - Food

A crisp bar that flexes into toffee and green bananas, with a hint of lemon on the long, bright finish.

The New York Times - Food

In "She Came With a Creamy Sauce With a Hint of Lemon," a winsome girl wearing a McDonald's server's hat snorts white powder through a straw.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Light, with hints of lemon and steel.

The New York Times - Food

Bergamote 22 has hints of lemon and apples.

The New York Times

Calvarino is pale yellow in colour, and contains hints of lemon and cherry.

The Economist

Here, grilled asparagus is paired with a delicious creamy quinoa with hints of lemon and cumin.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The overall sauvignon flavor, with hints of lemon peel, resembles a tropical-fruit compote.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing food or beverages, use "hint of lemon" to indicate a delicate, not overpowering, lemon flavor. This phrase suggests subtlety and balance.

Common error

Avoid using "hint of lemon" repeatedly in the same text. Vary your descriptions with alternative phrases like "touch of lemon" or "lemon accent" to keep your writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hint of lemon" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often used as a post-modifier to describe a flavor or scent. As supported by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

11%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hint of lemon" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase, primarily functioning to subtly describe flavors or scents. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, from culinary descriptions to product reviews. While versatile, it's essential to avoid overuse and consider alternatives like "touch of lemon" or "dash of lemon" to maintain engaging writing. Predominantly found in News & Media, it suggests a neutral formality level, making it a reliable and widely understood descriptive element.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

touch of lemon

Replaces "hint" with "touch", indicating a slight alteration in word choice while maintaining the same meaning.

dash of lemon

Substitutes "hint" with "dash", implying a small amount of lemon flavor.

trace of lemon

Uses "trace" instead of "hint", suggesting a very subtle and almost imperceptible lemon presence.

whisper of lemon

Employs "whisper" to describe an even fainter lemon flavor.

element of lemon

Replaces "hint" with "element", focusing on lemon as a component of the overall flavor.

undertone of lemon

Uses "undertone" to convey a subtle, underlying lemon flavor.

nuance of lemon

Substitutes "hint" with "nuance", suggesting a delicate and refined lemon flavor.

lemon accent

Uses "accent" to emphasize the lemon as a subtle feature.

slight lemon flavor

More explicitly states a slight lemon presence.

subtle lemon note

Replaces "hint" with "note", commonly used in describing flavors and scents.

FAQs

How can I use "hint of lemon" in a sentence?

You can use "hint of lemon" to describe a subtle flavor or scent. For example: "The cake has a delightful hint of lemon" or "The cleaning product has a pleasant hint of lemon."

What can I say instead of "hint of lemon"?

You can use alternatives like "touch of lemon", "dash of lemon", or "trace of lemon" depending on the context.

Is it more accurate to say "hint of lemon" or "lemon flavor"?

"Hint of lemon" suggests a subtle and understated flavor, while "lemon flavor" implies a more prominent taste. The choice depends on the degree of lemon presence you want to convey.

Can "hint of lemon" be used to describe something other than food or drink?

Yes, "hint of lemon" can also describe scents. For example, you might say a cleaning product or perfume has a "hint of lemon". It is used to describe something which contains only a small amount of lemon.