allude

[uh-lood]

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.

Origin of allude

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

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

Can be confusedallowed allude aloud elude

Synonyms for allude

See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com

hint, intimate, suggest.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for allude

point, suggest, intimate, advert, imply, insinuate, refer

Examples from the Web for allude

Contemporary Examples of 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
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
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
I like the way they allude to "working-class and younger voters."
"Kill the Bill"
Michael Tomasky
July 9, 2013
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

Historical Examples of allude

She could not allude to such things without at least a possibility of response.
Weighed and Wanting
George MacDonald
When I use the word simplicity, I allude, of course, to everyday cooking.
The Cook's Decameron: A Study in Taste:
Mrs. W. G. Waters
He did not allude by a single word to the affair of the watch.
Wilfrid Cumbermede
George MacDonald
The construction adopted in the text, might allude to the marriage of Rowena with Vortigern.
Y Gododin
Aneurin
"I don't know to what you allude, Joe," said Mr. Lavender severely.
The Burning Spear
John Galsworthy

British Dictionary definitions for allude

allude

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

Word Origin and History for allude

1530s, "mock," from Middle French alluder or directly from Latin alludere "to play, sport, joke, jest," from ad- "to" (see ad-) + ludere "to play" (see ludicrous). Meaning "make an indirect reference, point in passing" is from 1570s. Related: Alluded; alluding.