allude

allude — verb

  • alludepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • alludes3rd person singular
  • alluding-ing form
  • alludedpast simple

1. to hint at a person, event, or idea instead of naming it openly

1.動詞不及物C1
釋義

to hint at a person, event, or idea instead of naming it openly

例句

Without naming the company, Yasmin alluded to the budget cuts.

allude to + issue without naming it

The joke on the poster alluded to an old TV ad.

同義詞
  • hint at

    close in meaning, but often more conversational

  • refer to

    more neutral and usually less indirect

  • mention

    more direct; it does not suggest leaving something unsaid

  • imply

    broader; can suggest an idea without making a specific reference

反義詞
  • state

    to say something clearly and directly

文法句型

allude to + noun phrase

allude to + the fact that-clause

用法筆記

Usually followed by 'to' before the person or thing being hinted at. If you say the subject plainly, direct verbs such as mention or name are more natural.

常見錯誤

❌The report alluded the scandal directly.
✅The report alluded to the scandal without naming it.
💡'Allude' is normally followed by 'to'; it does not take the topic as a direct object.