Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

suggest

/sə(ɡ)ˈd͡ʒɛst/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.75 in modern English

Syllables: sug-gest
IPA: /sə(ɡ)ˈd͡ʒɛst/

9

Scrabble Score

7

Letters

2

Syllables

5

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To imply but stop short of explicitly stating (something).

Transitive verb

verb

To cause one to suppose (something); to bring to one's mind the idea (of something).

Transitive verb

verb

To explicitly mention (something) as a possibility for consideration, often to recommend it.

Transitive verb

verb

To seduce; to prompt to evil; to tempt.

Obsolete; Transitive verb

Example Sentences

"Are you suggesting that I killed my wife?"
"The name "hamburger" suggests that hamburgers originated from Hamburg."
", Book II, Chapter III Some ideas […] are suggested to the mind by all the ways of sensation and reflection."
"In the abstract, Stuhlbarg’s twinkly-eyed sidekick suggests Joe Pesci in Lethal Weapon 2 by way of late-period Robin Williams with an alien twist, but Stuhlbarg makes a character that easily could have come across as precious into a surprisingly palatable, even charming man."
"The [British Heart Foundation's] data […] suggests there has been little improvement in eating, drinking and exercise habits in spite of the concern about obesity and the launch of the government's child measurement programme, which warns parents if their children are overweight. About a third of under-16s across the UK are either overweight or obese."
"This meeting venue was suggested to us by our boss."

Etymology

Coined based on Latin suggestus, perfect passive participle of suggerō (“bring up, bring under, lay beneath, furnish, supply, excite, advise, suggest”, verb), from sub (“from below, under”) + gerō (“bear, carry”, verb).

Word Breakdown

Root: *h₂eǵ-

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /sə(ɡ)ˈd͡ʒɛst/
British English: /səˈd͡ʒɛst/

Usage

Inflected Forms

suggests (present, singular) suggesting (participle, present) suggested (participle, past) suggested (past)

Derived Forms

autosuggest missuggest resuggest suggestable suggester suggestful suggestible suggestion suggestive suggestment

Phrases

suggest itself

Synonyms

point venture hazard allude hint imply insinuate evoke propose float bring up moot

Rhymes With

best west rest test request guest arrest chest expressed dressed breast impressed

Questions

How do you pronounce suggest?: The recorded pronunciation is /sə(ɡ)ˈd͡ʒɛst/.
What does suggest mean?: To imply but stop short of explicitly stating (something).
Where does suggest come from?: Coined based on Latin suggestus, perfect passive participle of suggerō (“bring up, bring under, lay beneath, furnish, supply, excite, advise, suggest”, verb), from sub (“from below, under”) + gerō (“bear, carry”, verb).

How to pronounce suggest

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “suggest”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/sə(ɡ)ˈd͡ʒɛst/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “suggest”.
Repeat and practice — Say “suggest” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.