allusion

UK: /əˈluːʒ^ən/ US: /əˈluʒən/ ,(ə lo̅o̅′zhən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

al•lu•sion /əˈluʒən/   n. 

1. [countable] a passing or casual reference to something, either directly or implied:
   an allusion to Shakespeare.
2. the act of alluding:
   [uncountable] No allusion to his criminal record was allowed in the trial.

al•lu•sive /əˈlusɪv/  adj. 
al•lu•sive•ly, adv. 
al•lu•sive•ness, n. [uncountable] See -lud-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

al•lu•sion  (ə lo̅o̅′zhən), n. 

1. a passing or casual reference;
   an incidental mention of something, either directly or by implication:
   an allusion to Shakespeare.
2. the act of alluding.
3. [Obs.] a metaphor;
   parable.

• Late Latin allūsiōn- (stem of allūsiō), equivalent. to allūs(us), past participle of allūdere (see allude; al- al- + lūd- play + -tus past participle suffix) + -iōn- -ion
• 1540–50

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

allusion / əˈluːʒən/ noun

1. the act of alluding
2. a passing reference; oblique or obscure mention

Etymology: 16th Century: from Late Latin allūsiō, from Latin allūdere to sport with, allude