Inkling

An inkling is a slight suspicion, a vague idea, or a faint indication of something. It often refers to a feeling or intuitive understanding that something is, might be, or will be the case, even without concrete evidence. It's a subtle clue, a hint, or a premonition. In essence, an inkling is a nascent awareness that hasn't fully formed into a concrete thought or knowledge. It can also refer to a small piece of information that suggests the presence of something bigger or the possibility of something happening. It is closely related to intuition and guesswork based on observation.

Inkling meaning with examples

• Despite the overwhelming secrecy, Sarah had an inkling that her colleagues were planning a surprise party. She noticed hushed whispers and secretive glances, sparking her initial idea that they were hiding something. While there was no solid evidence, that faint thought caused excitement and led her to watch for any further clues.
• As the detective reviewed the crime scene, he got an inkling that the victim knew the assailant. The placement of the objects and the lack of forced entry gave him a subtle feeling. The intuition prompted him to prioritize a list of suspects that the victim knew, which he hadn't considered before.
• Before the announcement, I had a slight inkling about the upcoming project's success. I saw all the signs. The increased resources, the optimistic tone in the meetings, and the CEO's eagerness filled me with a faint sense of optimism that it would be successful. The inkling fueled my anticipation.
• She had a faint inkling of the truth when she overheard a cryptic conversation. The snippets she heard, though incomplete, gave her a gut feeling that something was amiss in the organization's financials. This intuitive understanding, though a hunch, motivated her to further investigate.