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 Romeo with the …

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.

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-, which can mean …

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, such as "In the …

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 more …

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.