suggestive

UK: /səˈdʒɛstɪv/ US: /səgˈdʒɛstɪv, sə-/ ,(səg jes′tiv, sə-)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

sug•ges•tive /səgˈdʒɛstɪv, sə-/   adj. 

1. suggesting;
   referring to or evoking other thoughts, persons, times or places, etc.:
   suggestive of 19th-century London.
2. rich in suggestions or ideas:
   a suggestive critical essay.
3. implying, suggesting, or hinting at something improper or indecent, esp. sexual matters;
   risqué:
   She didn't appreciate his suggestive remarks.

sug•ges•tive•ly, adv. See -gest-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

sug•ges•tive  (səg jes′tiv, sə-), adj. 

1. that suggests;
   referring to other thoughts, persons, etc.:
   His recommendation was suggestive of his boss's thinking.
2. rich in suggestions or ideas:
   a suggestive critical essay.
3. evocative;
   presented partially rather than in detail.
4. that suggests or implies something improper or indecent;
   risqué:
   suggestive remarks.

• suggest + -ive 1625–35

sug•ges′tive•ly, adv. 
sug•ges′tive•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. See expressive. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

suggestive / səˈdʒɛstɪv/ adjective

1. (postpositive) followed by of: conveying a hint (of something)
2. tending to suggest something improper or indecent

sugˈgestively adverb

sugˈgestiveness noun