Word
allusion
Phoneticsal·lu·sion, stress on the second syllable
US/əˈɫuʒən/
UK/ɐlˈuːʒən/
Definition
n. a brief mention of something famous or a person, without naming them directly. You use this when you want to show you know about a story or a famous person.
n. an indirect or passing reference to a person, place, or event, especially in literature or speech. Often used to evoke a shared cultural or historical knowledge without explicit explanation.
Examples
“The song contains a clever allusion to a famous movie.”
“The author makes a subtle allusion to the ancient myth to explain the character's sudden change in behavior.”
“While the poem does not name the historical figure directly, it contains several allusions to his most famous speeches, allowing readers to recognize his influence on the narrator's worldview.”
Examples
simple
“The song contains a clever allusion to a famous movie.”
contextual
“The author makes a subtle allusion to the ancient myth to explain the character's sudden change in behavior.”
complex
“While the poem does not name the historical figure directly, it contains several allusions to his most famous speeches, allowing readers to recognize his influence on the narrator's worldview.”
Real-World Examples
“You might have opportunities that are huge.”
At the time, I confess, I didn’t preoccupy myself with the caveating “might”, hearing only the allusions to success.” “Dudamel leaned into the score’s allusions to Wagner and Liszt, Ravel and Tchaikovsky.” “However, any allusion to this merchandise is conspicuous by its absence, perhaps because it was too closely associated with manual labour.” “The architecture is playful postmodern with the now standard affectations and allusions to Palladian renaissance.” Etymology
From Latin allūsiōnem, accusative singular of allūsiō (“the act of playing with”), from allūdō (“play with; allude”), from al-, combining form of ad (“to”), + lūdō (“play”): compare French allusion.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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