Definition

1. Noun:
   • An idea or plan put forward for consideration: A "suggestion" is something that you say or write to propose an idea or possible plan for someone to think about.
   • A slight indication or hint: A "suggestion" can be a subtle sign or trace of something.
   • The psychological process of influencing a person's thoughts or actions: In psychology, "suggestion" refers to the act of causing an idea or attitude to be accepted by the mind, sometimes without conscious awareness.

Examples of Usage

• As an idea or proposal:
  • He made a helpful suggestion for improving the project.
  • My suggestion is that we postpone the meeting until next week.
• As a hint or trace:
  • There was a suggestion of sadness in her voice.
  • The room was decorated with a suggestion of the ocean theme.
• In a psychological context:
  • The therapist used suggestion to help the patient relax.

Advanced Usage

• "At/On someone's suggestion": following advice given by someone.
  • We visited the museum at her suggestion.
• "Open to suggestion": willing to listen to and consider new ideas.
  • The design isn't final; I'm still open to suggestion.

Variants and Related Words

• Suggest (verb): to mention an idea, plan, or possibility for someone to consider.
  • Can you suggest a good restaurant?
• Suggestive (adjective):
  • Tending to suggest an idea.

    • His remarks were suggestive of a deeper problem.
  • Making someone think of something, especially something improper or sexual.

    • She gave him a suggestive look.

Synonyms

• Proposal: a plan or suggestion put forward for consideration.
• Recommendation: a suggestion or advice about what is the best thing to do.
• Hint: a slight or indirect indication.

Related Phrases

• Power of suggestion: the influence that an idea can have on a person's thoughts or behavior, often without them realizing it.
  • Just talking about being tired can, by the power of suggestion, make you feel sleepy.

Noun

1. the act of inducing hypnosis
2. the sequential mental process in which one thought leads to another by association
3. persuasion formulated as a suggestion
4. a just detectable amount
   • he speaks French with a trace of an accent
5. a proposal offered for acceptance or rejection
   • it was a suggestion we couldn't refuse
6. an idea that is suggested
   • the picnic was her suggestion