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Definition of allusion

allusion

/əˈluːʒən/
al · lu · sion
Adverb:allusively
•
Plural:allusions
•
Adjective:allusive
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allusion Lexical Profile

allusion Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

An indirect or passing reference to a person, place, event, or artistic work, or the practice of making such references.

Example

"The novel's title is a clever allusion to a famous line from one of Shakespeare's tragedies."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for allusion

Word Nuance & Usage

Frequently confused with the near-homophone 'illusion' (a deceptive appearance or false belief) and 'elusion' (the act of evading or escaping).

• Rhymes for allusion

• Nearby Words

allurement
alluring
alluringly
allusion
allusive
ally
allyship

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the mid-16th century from Middle French or Late Latin allusio, from the Latin verb alludere ('to play with, jest, or touch lightly upon'), formed from ad- ('to, toward') and ludere ('to play').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Allusion. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/allusion
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