allude

UK: /əˈluːd/ US: /əˈlud/ ,(ə lo̅o̅d′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

al•lude /əˈlud/   v. [~ + to] , -lud•ed, -lud•ing. 

1. to make an allusion;
   refer:
   Who are you alluding to?

See -lud-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

al•lude  (ə lo̅o̅d′), v.i., -lud•ed, -lud•ing. 

1. to refer casually or indirectly;
   make an allusion (usually fol. by to):
   He often alluded to his poverty.
2. to contain a casual or indirect reference (usually fol. by to):
   The letter alludes to something now forgotten.

• Latin allūdere to play beside, make a playful allusion to, equivalent. to al- al- + lūdere to play
• 1525–35

Synonyms

hint, intimate, suggest.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

allude / əˈluːd/ verb (intransitive) followed by to:

1. to refer indirectly, briefly, or implicitly
2. (loosely) to mention

Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin allūdere, from lūdere to sport, from lūdus a gameUSAGE
See note at elude