suggestive
/sə'dʤestiv/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Tending to imply or hint at something, often indirectly: "suggestive" describes something that evokes ideas, associations, or meanings without stating them directly.
- Tending to suggest something improper, indecent, or sexual: "suggestive" often refers to remarks, looks, or images that hint at sexual content.
- (Followed by 'of') Clearly indicating or pointing out: "suggestive" can describe something that serves as clear evidence or a strong sign of something else.
Usage and Examples
General Implication:
- His smile was suggestive of a shared secret. (His smile hinted at a shared secret without words.)
- The data is suggestive of a new trend in consumer behavior. (The data implies a new trend.)
Improper or Sexual Connotation:
- She made a suggestive remark that made everyone uncomfortable. (She made a remark hinting at something indecent.)
- The advertisement was banned for its suggestive imagery. (The ad used images that hinted at sexual content.)
Indicating or Revealing (followed by 'of'):
- Symptoms suggestive of the flu should be taken seriously. (Symptoms that clearly point to the flu.)
- Fossils suggestive of a tropical climate were found in the arctic. (Fossils that are clear evidence of a past tropical climate.)
Advanced Usage
- "Suggestive of": This is the most common construction, used to show what something implies or indicates.
- The dark clouds are suggestive of an approaching storm.
- "Highly suggestive": Emphasizes a very strong implication or connotation.
- The test results are highly suggestive of a positive outcome.
Variants and Related Words
- Suggest (verb): To put forward for consideration; to imply.
- I suggest we take a break.
- Suggestion (noun): An idea or plan put forward; a hint or trace.
- He made a helpful suggestion.
- Suggestively (adverb): In a way that suggests something.
- He winked suggestively.
Synonyms
- Evocative: Bringing strong images, memories, or feelings to mind.
- Provocative: Causing annoyance, anger, or another strong reaction, especially deliberately; often with a sexual connotation.
- Indicative: Serving as a sign or indication of something.
- Implicative: Tending to imply.
Antonyms
- Explicit: Stated clearly and in detail, leaving no room for confusion or doubt.
- Unambiguous: Not open to more than one interpretation.
- Innocuous: Not harmful or offensive.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- "Leave little to the imagination": An idiom often used to describe something that is very revealing or overtly suggestive, especially in a sexual context.
- Her costume left little to the imagination.
Adjective
- tending to suggest something improper or indecent
- a suggestive nod
- suggestive poses
- (usually followed by `of') pointing out or revealing clearly
- actions indicative of fear
- tending to suggest or imply
- artifacts suggestive of an ancient society
- an implicative statement