diff --git a/basis/hints/hints.factor b/basis/hints/hints.factor
index 6b7a6ae8ca..08d794090c 100644
--- a/basis/hints/hints.factor
+++ b/basis/hints/hints.factor
@@ -71,7 +71,8 @@ t specialize-method? set-global
 SYNTAX: HINTS:
     scan-object dup wrapper? [ wrapped>> ] when
     [ changed-definition ]
-    [ parse-definition { } like "specializer" set-word-prop ] bi ;
+    [ subwords [ changed-definition ] each ]
+    [ parse-definition { } like "specializer" set-word-prop ] tri ;
 
 ! Default specializers
 { first first2 first3 first4 }