inkling

/'iɳkliɳ/

Thân thiện

He had an inkling that the surprise party was for him.

Definition

Noun: A slight suggestion, hint, or vague understanding of something; a faint or indistinct idea or suspicion.

Usage

Inkling is used to describe a very small amount of knowledge or a faint suspicion about something, often when the full details are not known. It is commonly used in negative constructions (e.g., "have no inkling") or to indicate a very early or weak notion.

Examples

• I didn't have the slightest inkling that they were planning a surprise party for me.
• She gave no inkling of her true feelings during the meeting.
• He had an inkling that the answer might be found in the old documents, but he wasn't sure.

Advanced Usage

• "To have an inkling (of/about something)": To have a slight suspicion or vague idea.
  • After hearing their whispers, I had an inkling about the secret project.
• "To give an inkling (of something)": To provide a slight hint or suggestion.
  • The first chapter gives no inkling of the plot twists to come.

Variants and Related Words

• Inkle (verb, archaic): To hint at or give an inkling of something. (This form is now very rare and not used in modern English.)

Synonyms

• Hint
• Suggestion
• Glimmer
• Notion
• Suspicion
• Clue
• Intimation

Antonyms

• Certainty
• Knowledge
• Understanding
• Awareness

Học thuật

Noun

1. a slight suggestion or vague understanding
   • he had no inkling what was about to happen

Từ đồng nghĩa

• intimation
• glimmering
• glimmer