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Glite Dictionary
to allude

to allude

88 6.5
To mention something without saying it directly
  • verb
  • /əˈluːd/
translation icon : aludir a
  • During her speech, the author alluded to her struggles without revealing all the details.
  • allude to the fact
  • allude to the passage
  • allude to the text

So John, Doug alluded to what might happen.

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Examples

  • But this is the Life magazine I alluded to earlier.

    Danny Jones

  • First one, I alluded to this before but I'll say it explicitly now.

    Linus Tech Tips

  • Yes, he did allude to there being some supernatural influence.

    Confession (2020)

  • I'm sorry, did I allude to being someone I'm not?

    Syrup (2013)

  • So you were alluding to this a minute ago.

    The Knowledge Project Podcast

  • These are issues that I have alluded to before which required hard solutions.

  • SMlTH: I could allude to a young man who matches your description.

    J. Edgar (2011)

  • And I'll just say this, I think you alluded to this earlier on several occasions.

    Tim Ferriss

  • Perhaps this alludes to Shields' own reactions to reviews of her early work.

    Academic text (2013)

  • "I've been wondering what you were alluding to for the length of your public career," he said.

    Fiction book (1995)

Synonyms

to mention
vsto allude
∞ 1.0

To briefly refer to someone or something in words

refers indirectly instead of speaking plainly or stating it directly
to refer
vsto allude
818 2.4

Talk about someone or something to draw attention to them

does so indirectly rather than directing attention openly
to imply
vsto allude
367 3.5

Suggest something without saying it directly

mentions indirectly rather than only expressing by suggestion
to hint
vsto allude
136 2.0

To suggest something in a quiet way without saying it directly

mentions indirectly rather than only implying without explicit mention
to make mention of
vsto allude
  • Formal
6 3.6

To briefly say something about a person or thing

refers indirectly rather than speaking about it briefly and directly
to advert
vsto allude
  • UK
1 8.1

To mention something briefly without giving details

has the same meaning but without stressing its brief or passing nature
to adumbrate
vsto allude
  • Formal
9.9

To suggest an idea in an indirect way without full details

mentions indirectly rather than sketching or partly outlining it

How Direct

to state
∞ 1.6
to mention
∞ 1.0
to allude
88 6.5
to hint
136 2.0
to imply
367 3.5

Surface Forms

allude infinitive
alluded past
alluded past participle
alluding present participle
alludes third person singular

Etymology

The word allude comes from Latin parts ad- 'to' and ludere 'to play'. Think of it as 'playing around' a subject instead of saying it directly, which is why allude means to mention something in an indirect way.