Spanish word

insinuar

Pronunciation

IPA/insiˈnwaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbhint

Example

No me insinúes nada sin pruebas.

Don't hint at anything to me without evidence.

Illustration for insinuar (hint)

More examples

No entiendo qué tratas de insinuar con esa sonrisa.

I don't understand what you are trying to hint at with that smile.

Core concept

A faint trail of clues leading to a conclusion.

Common phrases

  • insinuar sospechas

    hint at suspicions

Similar words

sugerir: Suggest an idea or action gently as a mild recommendation.
implicar: Indicate that one fact or statement entails or involves another.
subentender: Imply an unstated meaning and leave it to the listener to infer.
aludir: Make a brief, indirect reference to a person or topic.

Definition in Spanish

Decir o mostrar una idea de manera indirecta para que otra persona la deduzca.

Word origin

Derived from Latin insinuāre (in- 'into' + sinus 'fold' via the verb sinuāre), literally 'introduce into a fold' and used metaphorically to mean hint or suggest.

Usage tips

  • Insinuar frequently occurs as insinuar que + clause to mean 'to hint that...', and when used that way it often implies criticism or accusation.

Other meanings

  • suggestverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word