allude

[ uh-lood ]

/ əˈlud /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR allude ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), al·lud·ed, al·lud·ing.

to refer casually or indirectly; make an allusion (usually followed by to): He often alluded to his poverty.

to contain a casual or indirect reference (usually followed by to): The letter alludes to something now forgotten.

Nearby words

allozyme, allport, allseed, allspice, allston, allude, allure, allurement, alluring, allusion, allusive

Origin of allude

1525–35; < Latin allūdere to play beside, make a playful allusion to, equivalent to al- al- + lūdere to play

SYNONYMS FOR allude

hint, intimate, suggest.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR allude ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

pre·al·lude, verb (used without object), pre·al·lud·ed, pre·al·lud·ing.

Can be confused

allowed allude aloud elude

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for allude

Last season was definitely challenging, because we were not allowed to mention them or allude to a mole of any kind.
The Leaner, Meaner Season 2 of ‘Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’|Jason Lynch|September 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Mr. Ban did, in fact, allude to the Islamist organization in the statement.
War of Words Between Israel and UN Continues|Betsy Pisik|August 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I may not do more than allude to his death, fit ending of his life.
The Real Memorial Day: Oliver Wendell Holmes's Salute To A Momentous American Anniversary|Malcolm Jones|May 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I like the way they allude to "working-class and younger voters."
"Kill the Bill"|Michael Tomasky|July 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Some also speculate that the name could allude to Francis Xavier, the co-founder of the Society of Jesuis—aka the Jesuits.
Can We Call Him Frank? New Pope Picks New Name, Francis|Andrew Romano|March 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The circumstances to which I allude date back to the Exposition of 1844, when I submitted my automata and mechanical curiosities.
Memoirs of Robert-Houdin, ambassador, author and conjurer|Jean Henri Robert-Houdin
I know full well to what you allude; but never, never will I sell my rights for gold!
The Mysteries of London, v. 1/4|George W. M. Reynolds
You may perhaps be anxious to know for fact to what sentence in your Letter I allude.
Letters of John Keats to His Family and Friends|John Keats
There is another equally important, but more complicated subject to which we must allude in this connection.
Fungi: Their Nature and Uses|Mordecai Cubitt Cooke
The case I allude to is that of an invalid woman who belongs to the humblest class of society.
Mysterious Psychic Forces|Camille Flammarion

British Dictionary definitions for allude

allude

/ (əˈluːd) /

verb (intr foll by to)

to refer indirectly, briefly, or implicitly

(loosely) to mention

Word Origin for allude

C16: from Latin allūdere, from lūdere to sport, from lūdus a game

confusable

Avoid confusion with elude

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

allude

verb (used without object), al·lud·ed, al·lud·ing.

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of allude

SYNONYMS FOR allude

Related forms

Can be confused

Examples from the Web for allude

British Dictionary definitions for allude

allude

verb (intr foll by to)

Word Origin for allude

confusable