Hint vs. Sign — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 27, 2024
A hint is an indirect suggestion meant to guide or prompt, focusing on subtlety, while a sign is a more direct or observable indication of a fact or state, emphasizing clarity.
Difference Between Hint and Sign
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A hint is typically a subtle or indirect suggestion that's often used to guide someone towards a conclusion without stating it outright. It relies on inference, requiring the recipient to piece together the meaning. Whereas, a sign is a direct, often observable indication or piece of evidence that points clearly to a fact, condition, or quality. Signs are designed to be understood without the need for significant interpretation.
Hints are commonly utilized in social interactions, puzzles, and education, to nudge someone towards an answer or insight, encouraging them to think critically or creatively to understand the message. On the other hand, signs are widely used in navigation, warnings, and communication of clear messages, where misunderstanding could lead to confusion or harm.
The effectiveness of a hint often depends on the recipient's ability to interpret subtlety and context, making it somewhat subjective. Whereas the effectiveness of a sign is based on its visibility, clarity, and universality, aiming for an objective understanding by all who encounter it.
Hints require a shared understanding or context between the giver and the receiver, leveraging nuances of language, tone, or gesture. Signs, in contrast, strive for universal comprehensibility, often using standardized symbols, texts, or signals that have broadly recognized meanings.
In literature and storytelling, hints are used as foreshadowing tools, subtly suggesting events to come without explicit revelation. Signs within these contexts, however, are employed more directly, often serving as turning points or evidence that propels the narrative forward.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
An indirect suggestion intended to prompt thought
A direct indication or evidence of a state or fact
Purpose
To guide or suggest without explicit instruction
To clearly indicate or demonstrate
Interpretation
Requires inference and interpretation
Generally clear and straightforward
Context Dependence
High, often relies on shared knowledge or context
Low, designed to be universally understandable
Use Cases
Puzzles, social cues, education
Navigation, warnings, instructions
Compare with Definitions
Hint
A subtle indication or clue.
She gave me a hint about the surprise party.
Sign
An object, quality, or event indicating a fact or condition.
The dark clouds were a sign of an approaching storm.
Hint
A slight or indirect suggestion.
He dropped a hint that he might leave the job.
Sign
A symbol or emblem that represents something.
The red hexagon is a sign for stop.
Hint
A faint or indirect indication.
There was a hint of sadness in her voice.
Sign
An indication of a disease or bodily condition.
High fever is a sign of infection.
Hint
A piece of advice given in a discreet manner.
The teacher's hint helped me solve the problem.
Sign
A gesture or action used to convey information or instructions.
He gave a sign for everyone to be quiet.
Hint
A small piece of practical information or advice.
The manual includes hints for better software usage.
Sign
A notice displaying information or instructions.
The sign at the park entrance listed the rules.
Hint
A slight or indirect indication or suggestion
He has given no hint of his views
Sign
A sign is an object, quality, event, or entity whose presence or occurrence indicates the probable presence or occurrence of something else. A natural sign bears a causal relation to its object—for instance, thunder is a sign of storm, or medical symptoms a sign of disease.
Hint
A small piece of practical information or advice
Handy hints on saving energy in your home
Sign
An object, quality, or event whose presence or occurrence indicates the probable presence or occurrence of something else
The shops are full, which is a sign that the recession is past its worst
Flowers are often given as a sign of affection
Hint
Suggest or indicate something indirectly or covertly
He hinted that the sale might be delayed
The Minister hinted at a possible change of heart
Sign
A gesture or action used to convey information or an instruction
She gave him the thumbs-up sign
Hint
A slight indication or intimation
Wanted to avoid any hint of scandal.
Sign
A notice on public display that gives information or instructions in a written or symbolic form
I didn't see the ‘Stop’ sign
Hint
A brief or indirect suggestion; a tip
Stock-trading hints.
Sign
Each of the twelve equal sections into which the zodiac is divided, named from the constellations formerly situated in each, and associated with successive periods of the year according to the position of the sun on the ecliptic
A person born under the sign of Virgo
A sign of the Zodiac
Hint
A statement conveying information in an indirect fashion; a clue
Give me a hint about the big news.
Sign
The positiveness or negativeness of a quantity
The last four bits hold a pattern to represent the sign of the number
Hint
A barely perceptible amount
Just a hint of color.
Sign
Write one's name on (a letter, card, document, etc.) to identify oneself as the writer or sender
The card was signed by the whole class
Hint
(Archaic) An occasion; an opportunity.
Sign
Use gestures to convey information or instructions
She signed to her husband to leave the room
Hint
To express or state indirectly
She hinted that she might prefer our company to theirs.
Sign
Indicate with signposts or other markers
The footpath is signed by the gate
Hint
To indicate or make evident in an indirect manner
"The diversity of observations hinted that they had no common origin" (Carl Sagan).
Sign
Mark or consecrate with the sign of the cross
He signed himself with the cross
Hint
To give a hint
Wouldn't hint at the true purpose of the meeting.
Sign
Something that suggests the presence or existence of a fact, condition, or quality
A high temperature is a sign of fever.
Hint
A clue.
I needed a hint to complete the crossword.
Sign
An act or gesture used to convey an idea, a desire, information, or a command
Gave the go-ahead sign.
Hint
An implicit suggestion that avoids a direct statement.
He gave me a hint that my breath smelt.
Sign
Sign language.
Hint
A small, barely detectable amount.
There was a hint of irony in his voice.
I could taste a hint of lemon in my iced water.
Sign
A displayed structure bearing lettering or symbols, used to identify or advertise a place of business
A motel with a flashing neon sign outside.
Hint
(computing) Information in a computer-based font that suggests how the outlines of the font's glyphs should be distorted in order to produce, at specific sizes, a visually appealing pixel-based rendering; an instance of hinting.
This font does not scale well to small sizes; the hints for the 10-point letter 'g' still need work.
Sign
A posted notice bearing a designation, direction, or command
An EXIT sign above a door.
A traffic sign.
Hint
(databases) An instruction to the database engine as to how a query should be executed, for example whether to use an index or not.
Sign
A conventional figure or device that stands for a word, phrase, or operation; a symbol, as in mathematics or in musical notation.
Hint
(obsolete) An opportunity; occasion; fit time.
Sign
Pl. sign An indicator, such as a dropping or footprint, of the trail of an animal
Looking for deer sign.
Hint
(intransitive) To imply without a direct statement; to provide a clue.
She hinted at the possibility of a recount of the votes.
Sign
A trace or vestige
No sign of life.
Hint
(transitive) To bring to mind by a slight mention or remote allusion; to suggest in an indirect manner.
To hint a suspicion
Sign
A portentous incident or event; a presage
Took the eclipse as a sign from God.
Hint
(transitive) To develop and add hints to a font.
The typographer worked all day on hinting her new font so it would look good on computer screens.
Sign
(Medicine) An objective finding, usually detected on physical examination, from a laboratory test, or on an x-ray, that indicates the presence of abnormality or disease.
Hint
To bring to mind by a slight mention or remote allusion; to suggest in an indirect manner; as, to hint a suspicion.
Just hint a fault and hesitate dislike.
Sign
One of the 12 divisions of the zodiac, each named for a constellation and represented by a symbol.
Hint
To make an indirect reference, suggestion, or allusion; to allude vaguely to something.
We whisper, and hint, and chuckle.
Sign
To affix one's signature to
Signed the letter.
Hint
A remote allusion; slight mention; intimation; insinuation; a suggestion or reminder, without a full declaration or explanation; also, an occasion or motive.
Our hint of woeIs common.
The hint malevolent, the look oblique.
Sign
To write (one's signature)
Signed her name to the contract.
Hint
An indirect suggestion;
Not a breath of scandal ever touched her
Sign
To approve or ratify (a document) by affixing a signature, seal, or other mark
Sign a bill into law.
Hint
A slight indication
Sign
To hire or engage by obtaining a signature on a contract
Signed a rookie pitcher for next season.
Sign up actors for a tour.
Hint
A slight but appreciable addition;
This dish could use a touch of garlic
Sign
To relinquish or transfer title to by signature
Signed away all her claims to the estate.
Hint
A just detectable amount;
He speaks French with a trace of an accent
Sign
To provide with a sign or signs
Sign a new highway.
Hint
An indication of potential opportunity;
He got a tip on the stock market
A good lead for a job
Sign
To communicate with a sign or signs
Signed his approval with a nod.
Hint
Drop a hint; intimate by a hint
Sign
To express (a word or thought, for example) in a sign language
Signed her reply to the question.
Sign
To consecrate with the sign of the cross.
Sign
To make a sign or signs; signal.
Sign
To communicate in a sign language.
Sign
To write one's signature.
Sign
A perceptible (e.g. visible) indication.
Their angry expressions were a clear sign they didn't want to talk.
Those clouds show signs of raining soon.
Those clouds show little sign of raining soon.
Signs of disease are objective, whereas symptoms are subjective.
The sharp sign indicates that the pitch of the note is raised a half step.
I gave them a thumbs-up sign.
Sign
Physical evidence left by an animal.
The hunters found deer sign at the end of the trail.
Sign
A clearly visible object, generally flat, bearing a short message in words or pictures.
The sign in the window advertised a room for rent.
I missed the sign at the corner so I took the wrong turn.
Sign
A wonder; miracle; prodigy.
Sign
(astrology) An astrological sign.
Your sign is Taurus? That's no surprise.
Sign
(mathematics) Positive or negative polarity, as denoted by the + or - sign.
I got the magnitude right, but the sign was wrong.
Sign
A specific gesture or motion used to communicate by those with speaking or hearing difficulties; now specifically, a linguistic unit in sign language equivalent to word in spoken languages.
Sign
(uncountable) Sign language in general.
Sorry, I don't know sign very well.
Sign
A semantic unit, something that conveys meaning or information (e.g. a word of written language); a unit consisting of a signifier and a signified concept. sign (semiotics)]].
Sign
An omen.
"It's a sign of the end of the world," the doom prophet said.
Sign
(medicine) A property of the body that indicates a disease and, unlike a symptom, can be detected objectively by someone other than the patient.
Sign
A military emblem carried on a banner or standard.
Sign
To make a mark
Sign
To seal (a document etc.) with an identifying seal or symbol.
The Queen signed her letter with the regal signet.
Sign
(transitive) To mark, to put or leave a mark on.
Sign
(transitive) To validate or ratify (a document) by writing one's signature on it.
Sign
(transitive) More generally, to write one's signature on (something) as a means of identification etc.
I forgot to sign that letter to my aunt.
Sign
To write (one's name) as a signature.
Just sign your name at the bottom there.
I received a letter from some woman who signs herself ‘Mrs Trellis’.
Sign
(intransitive) To write one's signature.
Please sign on the dotted line.
Sign
(intransitive) To finalise a contractual agreement to work for a given sports team, record label etc.
Sign
(transitive) To engage (a sports player, musician etc.) in a contract.
It was a great month. I managed to sign three major players.
Sign
To make the sign of the cross
Sign
(transitive) To bless (someone or something) with the sign of the cross; to mark with the sign of the cross.
Sign
(reflexive) To cross oneself.
Sign
To indicate
Sign
(intransitive) To communicate using a gesture or signal.
Sign
(transitive) To communicate or make known (a meaning, intention, etc.) by a sign.
Sign
(transitive) To communicate using gestures to (someone).
He signed me that I should follow him through the doorway.
Sign
(intransitive) To use sign language.
Sign
(transitive) To furnish (a road etc.) with signs.
Sign
To determine the sign of
Sign
(transitive) To calculate or derive whether a quantity has a positive or negative sign.
Sign
That by which anything is made known or represented; that which furnishes evidence; a mark; a token; an indication; a proof.
Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God.
It shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign.
Sign
Something serving to indicate the existence, or preserve the memory, of a thing; a token; a memorial; a monument.
What time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men, and they became a sign.
Sign
Any symbol or emblem which prefigures, typifles, or represents, an idea; a type; hence, sometimes, a picture.
The holy symbols, or signs, are not barely significative; but what they represent is as certainly delivered to us as the symbols themselves.
Saint George of Merry England, the sign of victory.
Sign
A word or a character regarded as the outward manifestation of thought; as, words are the sign of ideas.
They made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
Sign
Hence, one of the gestures of pantomime, or of a language of a signs such as those used by the North American Indians, or those used by the deaf and dumb.
Sign
A military emblem carried on a banner or a standard.
The shops were, therefore, distinguished by painted signs, which gave a gay and grotesque aspect to the streets.
Sign
The twelfth part of the ecliptic or zodiac.
Sign
A character indicating the relation of quantities, or an operation performed upon them; as, the sign + (plus); the sign - (minus); the sign of division ÷, and the like.
Sign
Any character, as a flat, sharp, dot, etc.
An outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace.
Sign
To represent by a sign; to make known in a typical or emblematic manner, in distinction from speech; to signify.
I signed to Browne to make his retreat.
Sign
To make a sign upon; to mark with a sign.
We receive this child into the congregation of Christ's flock, and do sign him with the sign of the cross.
Sign
To affix a signature to; to ratify by hand or seal; to subscribe in one's own handwriting.
Inquire the Jew's house out, give him this deed,And let him sign it.
Sign
To assign or convey formally; - used with away.
Sign
To mark; to make distinguishable.
Sign
To be a sign or omen.
Sign
To make a sign or signal; to communicate directions or intelligence by signs.
Sign
To write one's name, esp. as a token of assent, responsibility, or obligation.
Sign
A perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened);
He showed signs of strain
They welcomed the signs of spring
Sign
A public display of a (usually written) message;
He posted signs in all the shop windows
Sign
Any communication that encodes a message;
Signals from the boat suddenly stopped
Sign
Structure displaying a board on which advertisements can be posted;
The highway was lined with signboards
Sign
(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
Sign
(medicine) any objective evidence of the presence of a disorder or disease;
There were no signs of asphixiation
Sign
Having an indicated pole (as the distinction between positive and negative electric charges);
He got the polarity of the battery reversed
Charges of opposite sign
Sign
An event that is experienced as indicating important things to come;
He hoped it was an augury
It was a sign from God
Sign
A gesture that is part of a sign language
Sign
A fundamental linguistic unit linking a signifier to that which is signified;
The bond between the signifier and the signified is arbitrary
Sign
A character indicating a relation between quantities;
Don't forget the minus sign
Sign
Mark with one's signature; write one's name (on);
She signed the letter and sent it off
Please sign here
Sign
Approve and express assent, responsibility, or obligation;
All parties ratified the peace treaty
Have you signed your contract yet?
Sign
Be engaged by a written agreement;
He signed to play the casino on Dec. 18
The soprano signed to sing the new opera
Sign
Engage by written agreement;
They signed two new pitchers for the next season
Sign
Communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs;
He signed his disapproval with a dismissive hand gesture
The diner signaled the waiters to bring the menu
Sign
Place signs, as along a road;
Sign an intersection
This road has been signed
Sign
Communicate in sign language;
I don't know how to sign, so I could not communicate with my deaf cousin
Sign
Make the sign of the cross over someone in order to call on God for protection; consecrate
Sign
Used of the language of the deaf
Common Curiosities
Are signs only used for warnings?
No, signs are used for a variety of purposes including navigation, instructions, and indicating conditions.
How does a sign communicate its message?
Through direct, clear indications or universally recognized symbols.
Can a hint always be understood by everyone?
No, understanding a hint often requires shared context or knowledge.
How do hints and signs differ in usage?
Hints are used for subtlety and indirect guidance, while signs provide direct and clear messages.
Are hints considered a form of communication?
Yes, hints are a nuanced form of communication that rely on subtlety and indirectness.
Can signs be misinterpreted?
While designed for clarity, signs can sometimes be misinterpreted if not designed or placed clearly.
What is the main purpose of a hint?
To subtly suggest or guide thought without direct instruction.
Is a sign more effective than a hint?
It depends on the context; signs are more effective for clear communication, whereas hints are useful for prompting thought or subtle suggestion.
Can the same sign have different meanings in different cultures?
Yes, cultural differences can influence the interpretation of certain signs.
Can a hint be unintentional?
Yes, sometimes people give hints without intending to, through their actions or expressions.
Do signs require attention to detail?
Yes, both creating and interpreting signs require attention to detail to ensure clarity and effectiveness.
What types of signs are there?
There are many types, including road signs, warning signs, informational signs, and symbolic signs.
What makes a good hint?
A good hint provides just enough information to guide someone towards an answer without giving it away.
How do hints and signs play a role in safety?
Hints can subtly alert individuals to potential dangers, while signs can provide explicit warnings and instructions for safety.
How important is context in understanding a hint?
Very important; without the right context, the intended message of a hint may be lost.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
