Allude
verb
To suggest or indirectly refer to something.
He alluded to the problem but did not mention it directly.
Often appears as...
- allude to something
- allude to the fact
verb
To hint or indirectly point to something without stating it clearly.
The poem alludes to an incident in the author's childhood.
Often appears as...
- allude to an event
- allude to an experience
Usage tips
Literary
verb
To suggest or indirectly refer to something.
He alluded to the problem but did not mention it directly.
Often appears as...
- allude to something
- allude to the fact
verb
To hint or indirectly point to something without stating it clearly.
The poem alludes to an incident in the author's childhood.
Often appears as...
- allude to an event
- allude to an experience
Usage tips
Literary
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Subtle Reference
Allude is used when mentioning something indirectly or subtly.
In her speech, she alluded to changes without outlining specifics.
Pro Tip 2/3Cultural Knowledge
Understanding allusions may require knowledge of specific cultures, history, or texts.
His writing alludes to Greek mythology, requiring some background to grasp.
Pro Tip 3/3Careful Connotation
The verb 'allude' may carry a connotation of tact or avoidance of directness.
He alluded to his previous job, hinting without explaining why he left.
Compare with
hintimplyindicateinsinuatesuggestibility
Never forget "Allude"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Video examples
Clay Shirky: Institutions...
as well as upsides. And of course, in the current environment, one need allude only lightly to the work of non-state actors trying to influence global affairs, and taking advantage of these. This is a social map of the hijackers and their associates
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 118 PIPE...
may allude to it does its business at night that's why it's fast asleep now you can see its eyes closed not a worry in the world
Video examples
Clay Shirky: Institutions...
as well as upsides. And of course, in the current environment, one need allude only lightly to the work of non-state actors trying to influence global affairs, and taking advantage of these. This is a social map of the hijackers and their associates
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 118 PIPE...
may allude to it does its business at night that's why it's fast asleep now you can see its eyes closed not a worry in the world
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Elvis Mitchell
American Critic
When Bruce Lee gets his cameo in 'The Green Hornet' - as one of the drawings in Kato's notebook - it clarifies what the film is: an unrealized sketch. A sketch can afford to allude to a point of view. Moviemakers need to show their point of view, something this shrug of a movie never gets around to doing.
Quote examples
James Surowiecki
American Journalist
Academics, who work for long periods in a self-directed fashion, may be especially prone to putting things off: surveys suggest that the vast majority of college students procrastinate, and articles in the literature of procrastination often allude to the author's own problems with finishing the piece.
Quote examples
Frank Crowninshield
American Journalist
Let us instance one respect in which American life has recently undergone a great change. We allude to its increased devotion to pleasure, to happiness, to dancing, to sport... to the delights of the country, to laughter, and to all forms of cheerfulness.
Quote examples
King George V
British Royalty
I venture to allude to the impression which seemed generally to prevail among their brethren across the seas, that the Old Country must wake up if she intends to maintain her old position of pre-eminence in her colonial trade against foreign competitors.
Quote examples
John C. Calhoun
American Statesman
The two great agents of the physical world have become subject to the will of man and have been made subservient to his wants and enjoyments; I allude to steam and electricity, under whatever name the latter may be called.
Quote examples
Rob Liefeld
American Writer
Domino is all about... as an actress and as the character that is going to be on the screen, you already allude to it: it's all about the sass.
Quote examples
Elvis Mitchell
American Critic
When Bruce Lee gets his cameo in 'The Green Hornet' - as one of the drawings in Kato's notebook - it clarifies what the film is: an unrealized sketch. A sketch can afford to allude to a point of view. Moviemakers need to show their point of view, something this shrug of a movie never gets around to doing.
Quote examples
James Surowiecki
American Journalist
Academics, who work for long periods in a self-directed fashion, may be especially prone to putting things off: surveys suggest that the vast majority of college students procrastinate, and articles in the literature of procrastination often allude to the author's own problems with finishing the piece.
Quote examples
Frank Crowninshield
American Journalist
Let us instance one respect in which American life has recently undergone a great change. We allude to its increased devotion to pleasure, to happiness, to dancing, to sport... to the delights of the country, to laughter, and to all forms of cheerfulness.
Quote examples
King George V
British Royalty
I venture to allude to the impression which seemed generally to prevail among their brethren across the seas, that the Old Country must wake up if she intends to maintain her old position of pre-eminence in her colonial trade against foreign competitors.
Quote examples
John C. Calhoun
American Statesman
The two great agents of the physical world have become subject to the will of man and have been made subservient to his wants and enjoyments; I allude to steam and electricity, under whatever name the latter may be called.
Quote examples
Rob Liefeld
American Writer
Domino is all about... as an actress and as the character that is going to be on the screen, you already allude to it: it's all about the sass.
Example 1 of 6
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension