noun
C2
Proficient
allusion
uh-LOO-zhun
Allusion (noun) means an indirect reference to something — a person, event or work — that the audience is expected to recognise without it being named outright. Example: “The title is an allusion to Paradise Lost.”
noun
1
An indirect reference to something — a person, event or work — that the audience is expected to recognise without it being named outright.
"The title is an allusion to Paradise Lost."
How to use allusion
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA hint at something without naming it directly.
Easily confused with
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The title is an _____ to Paradise Lost.
Etymology
From Latin "alludere," to play with or hint at, from "ad-" (to) plus "ludere" (to play).
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for allusion
region
ablation
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
titration
See all rhymes for 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.
What is the meaning of allusion?
"allusion" (noun) means an indirect reference to something — a person, event or work — that the audience is expected to recognise without it being named outright.
What is another word for allusion?
Other words for "allusion" include reference, hint, suggestion.
