Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » innuendo

innuendo

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

The definition of an innuendo is a subtle, insulting comment or gesture.

(noun)

An example of innuendo is telling people that a public official seems to be giving a lot of construction jobs to a contractor from whom he gets a lot of political contributions.

See innuendo in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun pl. innuendoes or innuendos

Law explanatory material set forth in the complaint in an action for libel or slander which explains the expressions alleged to be libelous or slanderous
an indirect remark, gesture, or reference, usually implying something derogatory; insinuation

Origin: L, by nodding to, abl. of ger. of innuere, to nod to, hint < in-, in + -nuere, to nod < IE base *neu-, to jerk, beckon, nod > Sans návatē, (he) turns, L numen, a nod

See innuendo in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. in·nu·en·does

An indirect or subtle, usually derogatory implication in expression; an insinuation.
Law
a. A plaintiff's interpretation in a libel suit of allegedly libelous or slanderous material.
b. A parenthetic explanation of a word or charge in a legal document.

Origin:

Origin: From Latin innuendō, by hinting

Origin: , ablative of innuendum, gerund of innuere, to nod to

Origin: : in-, to, toward; see in-²

Origin: + -nuere, to nod

Learn more about innuendo

innuendo synonyms

innuendo legal definition

innuendo in a sentence

link/cite print suggestion box