An allusion is a figure of speech that refers to a well‑known person, place, event, literary work, myth, or work of art. It’s used to evoke associated meanings and enrich the text. “He’s a real …

Allusions can be direct or indirect, meaning that they might explicitly state the name of the thing they're referring to, or they might hint at it in other, subtler ways.

In a wider, more informal context, an allusion is a passing or casually short statement indicating broader meaning. It is an incidental mention of something, either directly or by implication, …

What is the word origin of allusion? An allusion is not a play on words —that would be a pun—but allusion does come from the Latin verb allūdere, which in turn combines the verb lūdere, …

May 13, 2025 · Learn what an allusion is—a brief reference to something well-known—and explore its meaning, types of allusion, and how to identify and use allusions in your writing.

Dec 9, 2024 · God said to Abraham, “Kill me a son!” This is a direct allusion to the story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22.

The word allusion comes from the late Latin allusio meaning “a play on words” or “game” and is a derivative of the Latin word alludere, meaning “to play around” or “to refer to mockingly.” In …