allusion
noun
a passing or casual reference; an incidental mention of something, either directly or by implication.
allusions
-
pluralof allusion.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
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.
“For generations, it provided a common stock of references and allusions, rivaled only by Shakespeare in this respect,” the late writer Christopher Hitchens wrote in a 2011 essay on the King James Version.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 21, 2026
And he has done so with a light-fingered insouciance that makes every scene incandescent with funny contemporary allusions.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 19, 2026
"It touched on so much in terms of thematic material and musical material," Kehrer said, pointing to the allusions to decolonization and use of traditional Puerto Rican rhythms.
From Barron's ● Jan. 30, 2026
Do the allusions and shout-outs to current events and personalities seem a little too close for comfort?
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 30, 2026
There are no early sources for his story except a few brief allusions in Hesiod, in the eighth or ninth century.
From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton
