suggestion
Pluralsuggestions
- 1An idea or plan that you offer to someone so they can think about it.
Like handing someone a note with an idea on it that they can use or ignore.
Can I make a suggestion about where we should eat tonight?
Her suggestion to start an hour earlier saved us a lot of time.
Similarproposal, recommendation, idea, proposition
Note
- 2The act of offering an idea to someone for them to think about.
Like nudging a friend toward a choice without telling them exactly what to do.
At my suggestion, we moved the meeting to Friday.
The whole trip happened only through her gentle suggestion.
Similarrecommendation, prompting
Note
- 3An idea that is only hinted at, which your mind may take as true.
Like a seed planted in your mind that quietly grows into something you believe.
Just the suggestion of danger made the children nervous.
A small suggestion in the ad makes people think the snack is healthy.
Similarhint, implication, insinuation, intimation
Note
- 4In hypnosis, the act of using words or signals to make someone accept an idea or feeling.
Like a coach quietly giving instructions that a relaxed mind follows without question.
Through hypnosis and gentle suggestion, the therapist helped him relax.
Under suggestion, she could no longer feel the pain in her arm.
Note
- 5In court, a hint or guess that is offered, but not solid proof or sworn words.
Like saying "maybe he did it" instead of showing what really happened.
The lawyer objected that the claim was only a suggestion, not proof.
Without any evidence, his whole story was just a suggestion.
Similarinsinuation, speculation, innuendo
Note
Practice
Can you tell the meanings of suggestion apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.
Origin
It came through Middle English and Anglo-Norman from Latin suggestiō, from the verb suggerō ('suggest'), made from sub- ('from below, up') plus gerō ('to bring').