allude

[ uh-lood ]

verb (used without object)

, al·lud·ed, al·lud·ing.

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

   He often alluded to his poverty.

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

   The letter alludes to something now forgotten.

allude

/ əˈluːd /

verb

1. to refer indirectly, briefly, or implicitly
2. (loosely) to mention

Usage

See elude

Other Words From

• pre·al·lude verb (used without object) prealluded prealluding

Word History and Origins

Origin of allude¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of allude¹

C16: from Latin allūdere, from lūdere to sport, from lūdus a game

Example Sentences

Last season was definitely challenging, because we were not allowed to mention them or allude to a mole of any kind.

From The Daily Beast

Mr. Ban did, in fact, allude to the Islamist organization in the statement.

From The Daily Beast

I may not do more than allude to his death, fit ending of his life.

From The Daily Beast

Could the faces of the clocks and the ticking of time allude to ageing?

From The Daily Beast

I like the way they allude to "working-class and younger voters."

From The Daily Beast

But it is necessary to allude to this also, because it is possible to have purity of tone without sweetness or power.

From Project Gutenberg

I allude to the half dozen or more words which were written by your brother immediately preceding his death.

From Project Gutenberg

We allude to that more benevolent code of morality inaugurated by Joseph Addison.

From Project Gutenberg

It may not be uninteresting to allude rather briefly to the state of England at the close of the seventeenth century.

From Project Gutenberg

The Adjutant-General, in his familiar and almost daily letters to his wife, does not even allude to it.

From Project Gutenberg