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.

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 weakness) or “Waterloo” …

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, meaning …

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 …

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.

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.

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 traditional …

Apr 29, 2025 · Allusion Definition in Literature: What Is an Allusion? An allusion is a brief reference to something outside the text—often a well-known person, event, or work of art—that adds depth to a …

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