allusion
3 synonyms and 0 antonyms for allusion, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An indirect reference to something — a person, event or work — that the audience is expected to recognise without it being named outright.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Etymology
From Latin "alludere," to play with or hint at, from "ad-" (to) plus "ludere" (to play).
Full origin of allusion →Frequently Asked Questions
What is an allusion?
A passing, indirect reference to something the reader is expected to know — a myth, a book, a historical event — used to bring its associations along without spelling them out.
What is the difference between allusion and illusion?
They sound alike but are unrelated. An allusion is an indirect reference. An illusion is something that deceives the senses. An "elusion" — avoidance — is a third, rarer word.