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 …

May 13, 2025 · Allusions are quick references to well-known things—books, movies, people, events—that add meaning without including extensive detail. Allusions make writing or speech …

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, …

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.

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, meaning “play,” with the prefix ad-, …

Oct 18, 2025 · Learn what an allusion is, explore types and examples of allusions, and discover how to use this literary device effectively in your writing.

Allusions use the original reference as a point of departure, but they can also change the referent and add meaning retroactively. Allusions create intertextuality in this way. It is important to …

Allusions are literary winks—subtle references to famous people, places, events, or works that add depth to writing. They make your words pop with cultural resonance, but only if you know …

1 day ago · allusion f (plural allusions) allusion, innuendo En parlant ainsi, il faisait allusion aux mœurs de son temps. ― In speaking thus, he was making an allusion to the mores of his time.