French Conversation · Level 11
89 words
French word
insinuation
Pronunciation
IPA/ɛ̃sinɥasjɔ̃/
Meaning
- feminine nounhint
Example
Ne prends pas ses insinuations personnellement.
Don't take his hints personally.
More examples
Il a lancé une insinuation sur son collègue.
He launched an insinuation about his colleague.
Core concept
A remark that slips a criticism into conversation without stating it plainly.
Common phrases
faire une insinuation
make an insinuation
lancer une insinuation
launch an insinuation
Similar words
sous-entendu: A hidden meaning implied beneath the literal wording of an expression.
allusion: An indirect reference to a person or subject that is only hinted at.
Definition in French
Allusion formulée de façon détournée pour évoquer une critique ou un reproche sans le dire ouvertement.
Word origin
French insinuation is a learned borrowing from Latin insinuatio, from insinuare, 'to make one's way into', which led to an indirect figurative sense.
Usage tips
- Insinuation is a feminine noun, so the usual article is une, as in une insinuation or des insinuations.