Clues vs Hint

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Clues

Top 2,000 (common)

Hint

Top 2,000 (common) C1 noun

	Clues	Hint
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 //kluːz// 🇺🇸 //kluːz//	🇬🇧 /["/hɪnt/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/hɪnt/"]/
Meaning	Hints that help you solve a problem or mystery.	A small clue or piece of information.
Example	The detective found several useful clues at the scene of the crime.	She gave me a subtle hint about the surprise party.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 2,000 (common)	Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR level	-	C1
Part of speech		noun
Collocations	give clues, follow clues, find clues, provide clues, search for clues	big, broad, clear, drop, give (somebody), catch, hint about, hint from, hint to, big, broad, clear, drop, give (somebody), catch, hint about, hint from, hint to, strong, barest, faint, detect, notice, sense, hint of, at the first hint of something, handy, helpful, practical, give (somebody), offer (somebody), hint about, hint on
Antonyms	obscurity, mystery	guess, certainty, statement
Common mistakes	Confusing 'clue' as singular with 'clues' as plural., Using 'clues' in non-mystery contexts without proper explanation., Mixing 'clue' with unrelated terms like evidence.	Confused with 'hint' as a noun and a verb., Using 'hint' in formal contexts where a clearer statement is better., Forgetting to use 'at' or 'about' after 'hint'.
Usage notes	Use 'clues' in contexts like solving puzzles or mysteries. Avoid in formal writing without proper context.	Use 'hint' when suggesting something indirectly. It's more formal in writing and more casual in conversation. Avoid using it in situations that require direct communication.

See it in real clips

And they don't have a clue

Avengers › Avengers Endgame

Did he give you any clues, any coordinates, anything?

And they don't have a clue

Avengers › Avengers Endgame

Did he give you any clues, any coordinates, anything?

Clues

House Of Cards › S1 E1

A hint.

Hint

Frequently asked questions: Clues vs Hint

What's the difference between Clues and Hint?

Clues: Hints that help you solve a problem or mystery. Hint: A small clue or piece of information.

Can you show an example of each?

Clues: The detective found several useful clues at the scene of the crime. Hint: She gave me a subtle hint about the surprise party.

Can I use Clues and Hint interchangeably?

Not always. Clues and Hint are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.