Allusion Definition

ə-lo͝ozhən

allusions

noun

The act of alluding; indirect reference.

Without naming names, the candidate criticized the national leaders by allusion.

American Heritage

The act of alluding.

Webster's New World

An instance of indirect reference.

An allusion to classical mythology in a poem.

American Heritage

An indirect reference; casual mention.

Webster's New World

The definition of an allusion is a statement that hints at something rather than being direct.

Saying to someone, "boy you look really tired, have you been getting enough sleep" instead of telling someone they look old because of wrinkles under their eyes is an example of an allusion.

YourDictionary

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Other Word Forms of Allusion

Noun

Singular:

allusion

Plural:

allusions

Origin of Allusion

From Latin allūsiōnem, accusative singular of allūsiō (“the act of playing with”), from allūdō (“play with; allude”), from al-, combining form of ad (“to”), + lūdō (“play”): compare French allusion.

From Wiktionary
Late Latin allūsiō allūsiōn- a playing with from Latin allūsus past participle of allūdere to play with allude

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition