allude

American  

[uh-lood] / əˈlud /

verb (used without object)

alluded, alluding

1. to refer casually or indirectly; make an allusion (usually followed byto ).

   He often alluded to his poverty.

2. to contain a casual or indirect reference (usually followed byto ).

   The letter alludes to something now forgotten.

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allude British  

/ əˈluːd /

verb

1. to refer indirectly, briefly, or implicitly

2. (loosely) to mention

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Commonly Confused

See elude

Other Word Forms

• preallude verb (used without object)

Etymology

Origin of allude

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin allūdere “to play beside, make a playful allusion to,” equivalent to al- al- + lūdere “to play”

Example Sentences

After that, Smart alluded to some of the sentiments she shared on the red carpet before the broadcast.

From Salon

“We will use this like we used it at the end of ’22, ’23, because all that was necessary for ’24,” he said, alluding to setbacks before last year’s Super Bowl win.

From The Wall Street Journal

We’re not shielded from the horrors, but they almost always happen offstage, implied or alluded to in the sudden vanishing of a loved one or a mournful reference to a death.

From The Wall Street Journal

The 40-year-old had alluded to frustration behind the scenes in the build-up to the match as the United boss refused to clarify his recent comments about the club's transfer plans.

From Barron's

The 40-year-old had alluded to frustration behind the scenes in the build-up to the match, refusing to clarify comments about the club's transfer plans.

From Barron's