innuendo
Americannoun
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an indirect intimation about a person or thing, especially of a disparaging or a derogatory nature.
- Synonyms:
- imputation, insinuation
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Law.
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a parenthetic explanation or specification in a pleading.
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(in an action for slander or libel) the explanation and elucidation of the words alleged to be defamatory.
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the word or expression thus explained.
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noun
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an indirect or subtle reference, esp one made maliciously or indicating criticism or disapproval; insinuation
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law (in pleading) a word introducing an explanatory phrase, usually in parenthesis
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law
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an explanation of the construction put upon words alleged to be defamatory where the defamatory meaning is not apparent
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the words thus explained
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Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of innuendo
First recorded in 1555–65; from Latin: “a hint,” literally, “by signaling,” ablative of innuendum, gerund of innuere “to signal,” equivalent to in- in- 2 + nuere “to nod”
Explanation
Speaking in innuendo is when you say something indirectly — often of a hurtful or sexual nature. Innuendo in Latin means "to point to" or "nod to." When you refer to something indirectly, you point at it without mentioning it, making an innuendo. If your friend who recently stopped speaking to you glares at you across a room as she says to someone else, "I would never lie to someone I called a friend," she's making an innuendo. Without accusing you directly, she's saying she thinks you lied.
Vocabulary lists containing innuendo
100 SAT Words Beginning with "I"
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The Joy Luck Club
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What If It's Us
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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.
See Examples For:
The state sufficiently proved that David Leath was murdered, he wrote, but “No evidence other than innuendo and conjecture identify Ms. Leath as having killed her husband.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 1, 2026
Owens’ story is backed by innuendo, exaggerations, outright falsehoods, and, in several instances, messages delivered through Owens’ own dreams.
From Slate ● Feb. 27, 2026
It added that even if some viewers inferred innuendo, it did not contain explicit content or objectifying imagery.
From BBC ● Feb. 18, 2026
What’s more, he vows to reopen an investigation into the death of Laius, the former leader who died 34 years ago under circumstances that have allowed rumor and innuendo to fester.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 13, 2025
He walked through life self-consciously with downcast eyes and burning cheeks, the object of contempt, envy, suspicion, resentment and malicious innuendo everywhere he went.
From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller
Madariaga had concluded Columbus was a Jew, said Morison, “by fashioning a significant pattern of hypothesis and innuendoes unsupported by anything so vulgar as fact.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 2, 2026
His dismissed the prosecution’s case as nothing more than “theories, hypotheses, innuendoes, assumptions, gut feelings, hairs on the back of your neck.”
From Seattle Times ● May 16, 2024
The episode was awarded four stars by the Independent's Michael Hogan, who said was served up with "its innuendoes and irresistible sense of fun, and new host Alison Hammond's influence is already clear".
From BBC ● Sep. 27, 2023
He is a physical wreck, though he puts on a surprisingly good and vigorous show as, without an audience, he staggers about a stage delivering songs, limericks, innuendoes and reminiscences.
From New York Times ● Nov. 14, 2012
Her ready little body-guard of taunts and innuendoes fled her usual summons.
From An Ambitious Woman A Novel by Fawcett, Edgar
An Alibaba Group spokesperson told AFP "the assertions and innuendos in the article are completely false".
From Barron's ● Nov. 25, 2025
The writing is punctuated by testy asides and innuendos about Villanueva foes, whom the report accuses of everything from extramarital affairs to ethical violations to new crimes.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2024
“We have stayed true to our principles, philanthropic duties, and organizational focus despite countless blatant fabrications, misrepresentations, and innuendos of misdeeds lodged against us,” reads a statement the foundation released Wednesday night.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 29, 2023
“To address these false accusations, defamatory statements and innuendos I have filed a lawsuit against both DEF CON Communications and Jeff Moss.”
From The Verge ● Aug. 18, 2022
Me: “‘I do not know which to prefer, / The beauty of inflections / Or the beauty of innuendos, / The blackbird whistling / Or just after.’”
From "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green
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.
