intimation

USAGE SUMMARY

'intimation' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used to refer to a hint, suggestion, or indication – usually in a subtle form. For example: "There was an intimation of anxiety in the tone of her voice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

"In the novel's closing pages … there is an intimation of what his novel might have been if he had allowed himself to tell his story in terms of character or emotion.

The Guardian - Books

The intimation of mortality is part of New York now: in the sound of jets overhead, in the black headlines of the latest edition.Three-and-a-half years after New York's blackest headlines, the island fantasy is evidently far from ended.

The Economist

So here was the first intimation of it:...in a field of milk-white haze the lost Apollo glows and wanders towards noon; The wind-blown webs are brighter, The rolling apples warmer than the sun.On the stage, however, poetry pushed his dialogue close to nonsense.

The Economist

Or he could be seen in the Atacama, gently attaching sensors to rocks as if they were living bodies, so that his data boxes could record for seven years the least intimation of something happening inside them.Of course, any such movement on Mars had long since ceased.

The Economist

But proud Ukrainians affirm that they, too, honour the holy man; "Sergius is on our calendar and we venerate him like any other saint," a spokesman for the Kiev Patriarchate, a bastion of Ukrainian sentiment, insists.Now you would think that in space, of all places, humans would have an overwhelming intimation of the common destiny of mankind, and the futility of war.

The Economist

There is an intimation of luxury well deserved but a luxury that almost everyone can afford.At the same time, brands are encouraging consumers to become connoisseurs of fine teas, just as they are of fine wines or coffees.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

This dual aspect theory of cognitive awareness endorses the existence of a meta-cognitive level of analysis, which explains why cognition does not happen "in the dark"; rather, it is always accompanied by self-intimation, by an experience of "what it is like" to be apprehending a given object (cf. Ganeri 1999).

SEP

Infallibility, indubitability, incorrigibility, and self-intimation claims (see Section 4.1.1) are most commonly made for self-knowledge of states such as being in pain or having a visual experience as of the color red, where these states are construed as qualitative states, or subjective experiences, or aspects of our phenomenology or consciousness.

SEP

that P, then …", while self-intimation has the form "If P, then I judge (think, believe, etc).

SEP

Thus, Horgan and others have described consciousness as "self-presenting" (Horgan, Tienson, and Graham 2005; Horgan and Kriegel 2007; the usage appears to follow Chisholm 1981, but Chisholm actually has an indubitability rather than a self-intimation thesis in mind).

SEP

A substantial philosophical tradition, going back at least to Descartes (1637/1985; 1641/1984; also Augustine c. 420 C.E./1998), ascribes a kind of epistemic perfection to at least some of our judgments (or thoughts or beliefs or knowledge) about our own minds infallibility, indubitability, incorrigibility, or self-intimation.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intimation" when you want to convey a subtle or indirect suggestion, rather than an explicit statement. It's best suited for contexts where nuance and subtlety are important.

Common error

Avoid using "intimation" when a direct or forceful statement is more appropriate. Overusing it can make your writing seem evasive or unclear.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "intimation" is as a noun, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig shows, it refers to a subtle communication or hint. The noun refers to the act of intimating or the thing intimated.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "intimation" is a grammatically sound noun used to convey a subtle or indirect suggestion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signals a hint or indication, often requiring careful reading between the lines. The word is "very common", primarily appearing in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science contexts, indicating a formal to neutral register. When using "intimation", remember to prioritize nuance and avoid directness; otherwise, consider alternatives like "hint" or "suggestion" for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subtle indication

Focuses on the subtlety of the indication rather than the act of intimating.

slight suggestion

Emphasizes the tentativeness of the hint provided.

veiled hint

Highlights the obscurity and indirectness of the clue.

tacit reference

Implies an unspoken or implicit connection.

oblique allusion

Stresses the indirect and roundabout nature of the reference.

remote suggestion

Highlights the indirect or distant connection.

faint clue

Emphasizes the weak or indistinct nature of the hint.

underlying implication

Focuses on what is being implied rather than directly stated.

delicate insinuation

Highlights the subtle and often artful manner of suggesting something.

hint of

A briefer, more direct way to express a subtle indication.

FAQs

How can I effectively use the word "intimation" in a sentence?

Use "intimation" to subtly suggest something without explicitly stating it. For example, "There was an "intimation" of trouble in his voice."

What are some alternatives to using "intimation"?

You can use alternatives like "hint", "suggestion", or "indication" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "intimation" and "suggestion"?

"Intimation" often implies a more subtle and indirect hint than "suggestion", which can be more direct. "Intimation" hints at something; "suggestion" proposes something.

When is it appropriate to use "intimation" over a more direct word?

Use "intimation" when you want to maintain a level of subtlety or when the information is sensitive or not yet fully confirmed. It is suited for situations where delicacy is important.