allude
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to refer casually or indirectly; make an allusion (usually followed byto ).
He often alluded to his poverty.
-
to contain a casual or indirect reference (usually followed byto ).
The letter alludes to something now forgotten.
verb
-
to refer indirectly, briefly, or implicitly
-
(loosely) to mention
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”
Explanation
When you allude to something, you don't identify it or mention it specifically. If you allude to the fact that a cop is sitting right behind you, your friends might stop talking about their plans to rob a bank. Allude is from Latin allūdere "to play with, joke" from the prefix ad- "toward" plus lūdere "to play." The corresponding noun is allusion, which is often used of an indirect reference in literature: Helen, a fitting name for a woman of great beauty, is an allusion to Helen of Troy.
Vocabulary lists containing allude
The SAT: Language of the Test, List 1
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "A"
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The ACT: The Language of the Test, List 1
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Although that project was scrapped, Variety magazine said the second season of The Studio will allude to the attempts to bring Madonna's story to the big screen.
From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026
Their presence may allude to the hymn “Panis Angelicus,” or “bread of angels,” written by St. Thomas Aquinas in the 13th century as a poetic reference to the presence of Christ in the consecrated host.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026
During a recent tour in London, Perry did appear to allude to her relationship status.
From BBC • Oct. 27, 2025
On New Year’s Eve, Alba appeared to allude to a new beginning in another post, writing that 2024 was “filled with connection, growth, adventures, laughter, peace, sisterhood, transformation, rebirth, joy and so much love.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 16, 2025
I remember Octavia talking about this during the wedding shoot, and I see a possible chance to allude to the uprising.
From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
