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, …

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, …

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.

As a literary device, allusion allows a writer to compress a great deal of meaning and significance into a word or phrase. However, allusions are only effective to the extent that they are …

Oct 7, 2025 · Learn what an allusion is, explore types and examples of allusions, and discover how to use this literary device effectively in your writing.

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 …

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.

Allusions: Allusion is a literary device that refers to an indirect or passing reference to a person, event, or work of art, often to evoke a deeper meaning or context. It relies on the audience's …

May 13, 2025 · Allusions make writing or speech more powerful, relatable, and emotional by connecting to shared knowledge. Examples of allusions include “Achilles’ heel” (a fatal …

ALLUSION definition: 1. something that is said or written that is intended to make you think of a particular thing or…. Learn more.