verb · B2

Allude

uh-LOOD/əˈluːd/

To allude is to mention something indirectly: allude to a rumour, allude to last year’s row. Hint at and refer to are everyday; refer to is more direct. Allusion is the noun (a literary allusion). The pattern is allude to. Elude means escape or be hard to grasp (the name eluded me) — a classic mix-up. In speech, hint at is enough. Do not allude to a fact you have just named in full; that is simply mention.

Meaning

To mention something indirectly (allude to); not the same as elude.

Examples

“She alluded to the problem without naming anyone.”
“The chair alluded to budget cuts without using the word redundancy.”
“Critics alluded to the earlier scandal, then moved on before legal letters arrived.”

Good to know

allude to = mention indirectly. Noun: allusion. Everyday: hint at. Contrast: elude = escape / slip from memory. Not the same as refer to (direct).

Near in meaning

hint at

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