allusive

IPA/əˈluːsɪv/
KK[əlˈusɪv]IPA/əˈluːsɪv/

allusive — 形容詞

  • allusivepositive
  • more allusivecomparative
  • most allusivesuperlative

1. describes writing, speech, or creative work that hints at other people, events,

1.形容詞C2
釋義

影射；引典

暗指他人、事件或作品

describes writing, speech, or creative work that hints at other people, events, or famous works without naming them directly, expecting the audience to recognise the reference.

例句

Rodrigo's essay was highly allusive, drawing on Greek myths and Shakespeare without naming them directly.

Rodrigo 的論文充滿影射，大量引用希臘神話與莎士比亞，卻從未直接提及其他來源。

highly allusive + 'drawing on' for indirect quoting

Niran was frustrated by the film's allusive dialogue because he did not know enough about Taiwanese history.

Niran 對這部電影充滿影射的對白感到沮喪，因為他對臺灣歷史認識不足。

allusive dialogue — applied to film/dialogue

同義詞
  • indirect

    broader term — all indirect language is not necessarily allusive; 'indirect' can mean vague or roundabout without referencing any specific external source

  • suggestive

    softer and less precise — 'suggestive' implies a gentle hint rather than a deliberate reference to a known work or event

  • evocative

    focuses on emotional response rather than intellectual recognition — an 'evocative' passage stirs feelings; an 'allusive' one requires spotting the reference

  • referential

    more technical and broader — any text that refers to external things is referential; 'allusive' specifically implies the reference is implied rather than stated outright

反義詞
  • explicit

    states something directly rather than hinting at it

  • direct

    says plainly what is meant, without requiring the audience to fill in the reference

文法句型

allusive + noun (style, language, work)

allusive to + noun phrase

be + highly/richly + allusive

用法筆記

Almost exclusively used to describe written texts, speech, or artistic works. It is uncommon to describe a person directly as 'allusive' — instead, describe their style or language as allusive. Frequently appears with intensifying adverbs such as 'highly', 'richly', or 'densely'.

常見錯誤

❌His allusive words were easy to understand.
✅His allusive words required knowledge of Greek mythology to understand.
💡Allusive language is by definition indirect and not immediately clear; it hints at something outside what is stated.