Suggest Definition & Meaning

American

British

Related Words

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms suggest American [suhg-jest, suh-] / səgˈdʒɛst, sə- /

verb (used with object)

1. to mention or introduce (an idea, proposition, plan, etc.) for consideration or possible action.

   The architect suggested that the building be restored.

2. to propose (a person or thing) as suitable or possible for some purpose.

   We suggested him for president.

   Synonyms: advise, recommend

3. (of things) to prompt the consideration, making, doing, etc., of.

   The glove suggests that she was at the scene of the crime.

4. to bring before a person's mind indirectly or without plain expression.

   I didn't tell him to leave, I only suggested it.

   Synonyms: imply, indicate

5. to call (something) up in the mind through association or natural connection of ideas.

   The music suggests a still night.

suggest British / səˈdʒɛst, səɡˈdʒɛst /

verb

1. to put forward (a plan, idea, etc) for consideration

   I suggest Smith for the post

   a plan suggested itself

2. to evoke (a person, thing, etc) in the mind of someone by the association of ideas

   that painting suggests home to me

3. to give an indirect or vague hint of

   his face always suggests his peace of mind

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See hint.

Other Word Forms

• presuggest verb (used with object)
• suggestedness noun
• suggester noun
• suggestingly adverb
• unsuggested adjective
• unsuggesting adjective

Etymology

Origin of suggest

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin suggestus (past participle of suggerere “to build up, supply, hint, suggest”), equivalent to sug- sug- + ges- (past participle stem of gerere “to carry, do, display”) + -tus past participle suffix

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Maybe you should just tell everyone who sent the note," suggested Specimen.

From Literature

They include emails suggesting Epstein made payments worth thousands of pounds to Lord Mandelson and his partner.

From BBC

That suggests that while the prime minister is weaker than ever, a challenge to his leadership is far from imminent.

From BBC

In short, this suggests the company is worth more than it appears, and that makes its stock attractive to Nygren.

From MarketWatch

This ability appears far earlier than scientists previously believed and suggests that important building blocks of perception are present almost from the very start of life.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• advise
• advocate
• offer
• propose
• put
• recommend
• submit

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.