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ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Inkling

/ˈɪŋklɪŋ/ · noun

Meaning

Usually preceded by forms of to give: a slight hint, implication, or suggestion given., A vague idea about something..

Definitions by Sense

  1. Usually preceded by forms of to give: a slight hint, implication, or suggestion given., A vague idea about something.
  2. Often preceded by forms of to get or to have: an imprecise idea or slight knowledge of something; a suspicion.
  3. (British, dialectal) A desire, an inclination.
  4. present participle and gerund of inkle

Example Sentences

[T]he present recalled the past, robed in the memories of its thousand dark and damning deeds of ignorance and superstition, and gave inklings of a brighter and better future; [...]
You ought to know something of French habits, at your age. You must have read books that give an inkling of it.
A passage from one of her [Rosa Luxemberg's] letters written from prison to a young friend, Dr. Hans Diefenbacker, in the spring of 1917 will suffice to give an inkling of this passion: [...]
Delhi's reaction was remarkably restrained in the immediate aftermath of the Mumbai attacks. But as a result of the tragedy, the Indian military gave inklings of formulating a "Cold Start" doctrine, along with associated changes to military organization and weaponry and posture, that would allow it to carry out a quick, punitive response, on up to eight axes, to any similar future Pakistani transgression.
If that a Pearl may in a Toads-head dwell, / And may be found too in an Oiſter-ſhell; / If things that promiſe nothing, do contain / What better is then Gold; who will diſdain / (That have an inkling of it,) there to look, / That they may find it?
This man then meeting with Chriſtian, and having ſome inckling of him, for Chriſtians ſetting forth from the City of Deſtruction was much noiſed abroad, not only in the Town, where he dwelt, but alſo it began to be the Town-talk in ſome other places.
These thoughts, of course, came to me later, though even when I was promoted to him, at the age of perhaps fourteen, some inkling haunted me of the dignity of himself and brother. For to make boots—such boots as he made—seemed to me then, and still seems to me, mysterious and wonderful.
Of the thing that sustains him through trials man has no inkling, much less knowledge, at the time.

Synonyms for inkling

Antonyms for inkling

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Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does inkling mean?

Inkling means Usually preceded by forms of to give: a slight hint, implication, or suggestion given., A vague idea about something..

What is a synonym for inkling?

Common synonyms include intimation, hunch, glimpse.

What is the opposite of inkling?

The opposite depends on the specific sense.

How do you use inkling in a sentence?

[T]he present recalled the past, robed in the memories of its thousand dark and damning deeds of ignorance and superstition, and gave inklings of a brighter and better future; [...]

Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.