French Conversation · Level 64
75 words
French word
allusion
Pronunciation
IPA/alyzjɔ̃/
Meaning
- feminine nounindirect reference
Example
Il a fait une allusion à son ancien travail.
He made an indirect reference to his former job.
More examples
Son allusion était à peine voilée.
His allusion was barely veiled.
Core concept
A remark that points toward a subject while leaving the listener to identify it.
Common phrases
faire allusion à
allude to
une allusion à peine voilée
a barely veiled allusion
Similar words
sous-entendu: An unstated meaning hidden behind an expression.
implication: An unstated meaning naturally inferred from words or circumstances.
insinuation: An indirect suggestion that expresses criticism or suspicion.
Definition in French
Façon de faire comprendre quelque chose sans l'énoncer explicitement, souvent par une remarque implicite ou un sous-entendu.
Word origin
French allusion comes from Latin allusio, from alludere, meaning to play with or refer indirectly.
Usage tips
- The common pattern is faire allusion à followed by the subject, so the preposition à cannot be omitted.
Other meanings
- hintnoun
Opposites
- expression expliciteexplicit expressionnoun