hints at meaning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hints at meaning" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing something that suggests or implies a deeper significance or interpretation. For example: "The author's choice of words hints at meaning beyond the surface level." Alternative expressions include "suggests meaning," "implies significance," and "indicates interpretation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Suggesting something grander than a mere approach and less technocratic than a theory, a philosophy of sport hints at meanings beyond the winning and losing of games.

Independent

And she's possessed of some distinctive tools, all of which were on display: a pinched, sassy tone in the highest register; a fondness for unguarded duets with her bassist (at Dizzy's, it was Noah Jackson); an array of rough, pealing nonverbal sounds that add drama to codas and interludes, hinting at meanings in the music that go beyond what fits on the page.

The New York Times - Arts

Now and then, this dance hints coyly at meanings (a man and woman end a duet by suddenly holding hands, as if in shame, in front of their faces) but suggests that we should ignore the general meanings it puts before us.

The New York Times - Arts

"Because Japanese people have a shared cultural knowledge, a poem need only hint at its meaning in order to be understood," he said.

The New York Times - Books

Nonetheless, the troupe's debut on Friday suggested that Mr. Corbin can also be done in by his originality: "... of the...". is an overextended slow-moving piece for 20 women that spreads out like an oversize rug with patterns that hint at undisclosed meaning.

The New York Times - Arts

In his father's photo albums he found pictures taken during the Polish campaign in 1939, and he sensed that something in the grinning German soldiers and boy scout atmosphere of the campaign, ending with the torching of villages not unlike his own Bavarian home in Wertach Am Allgäu, hinted at the meaning of the destroyed buildings, silences and absence of memory around him.

The Guardian

Each moment hints at narrative, whose meaning can be intimated but essentially remains an enigma.

The New York Times - Magazine

The exhibition title, "D'Carts Blanche and New Paintings," hints at the big meaning: we are imprisoned by an all-pervasive Cartesian grid, a vast, technological web wherein our most soulfully expressive gestures are like the struggles of captured flies.

The New York Times - Arts

Shona Craven of Scotland's The Herald, said, "[it's] a song of optimism and joy that maybe, just maybe, hints at the real meaning of Christmas".

Wikipedia

From his neurological standpoint, Eagleman uses science to explain strange phenomena, hint at deeper meanings and question societal issues.

The Guardian

The band have hinted at possible meanings for the title, including "a) suffocation, b) sadness, c) numbness from extreme cold, d) a Cleveland late night TV host from the 1960s named Ghoulardi, e) all of the above".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this phrase with abstract nouns like "symbolism", "narrative" or "intent" to provide more clarity on what is being hinted at.

Common error

Do not use "hints at meaning" if the subject is explicitly and clearly stated. Hinting implies an indirect suggestion; if the meaning is obvious, use "demonstrates meaning" or "expresses meaning" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hints at meaning" functions primarily as a transitive verb phrase used to describe the act of indicating something indirectly. According to Ludwig AI, it is often employed to bridge the gap between an observable sign and its deeper interpretation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hints at meaning" is a powerful tool for writers looking to describe subtlety and subtext. Based on the data from Ludwig AI, it is a staple of professional criticism and academic discourse. It is most effectively used when the subject suggests a significance that is not immediately obvious, allowing for a nuanced exploration of a topic. Whether analyzing a film in The New Yorker or discussing a scientific theorem in Springer, this phrase signals that there is more than meets the eye, inviting the reader to look closer. To maintain accuracy, ensure that the subject is indeed subtle; if the message is direct, consider more explicit alternatives like "conveys" or "defines".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suggests a meaning

Uses a more direct verb while maintaining the sense of interpretation.

implies significance

Shifts the focus from a general meaning to the importance or weight of the subject.

alludes to meaning

Suggests an even more indirect or symbolic reference than hinting.

indicates a deeper meaning

Specifies that the meaning is not on the surface level.

points to a meaning

A more directional and slightly less subtle alternative.

conveys a sense of meaning

Focuses on the delivery or transmission of the underlying message.

signals a message

Uses a more communicative metaphor, often used in social or biological contexts.

intimates meaning

A more formal and rare synonym for hinting or suggesting indirectly.

touches on a meaning

Implies that the meaning is mentioned or suggested briefly without deep exploration.

gestures toward meaning

A figurative way to describe something that points to a concept without defining it.

FAQs

How to use "hints at meaning" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe something subtle, for example: "The director's use of color "hints at meaning" that is only revealed in the final scene."

What can I say instead of "hints at meaning"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "suggests significance", "implies depth", or "alludes to a theme".

Is "hints at meaning" a formal expression?

Yes, it is widely used in neutral to formal registers, particularly within journalism, art criticism and academic writing, as seen in sources like The Guardian and The New York Times.

What is the difference between "hints at" and "suggests"?

While both are similar, "hints at" implies a greater degree of subtlety or concealment, whereas "suggests" can be used for both subtle and more apparent indications.