To allude to something is to make a reference to it, but indirectly. The word allude is an intransitive verb. The past tense form of the word is alluded, while the gerund/progressive form of the word is alluding. When one alludes to something, he or she won't state the actual thing being discussed. However, he or she would mention characteristics of the actual thing. For example, if one is
. talking about how he is sneezing, coughing, and has a stuffy nose, he can be alluding to having a cold or the flu. Some synonyms of allude include: hint, infer, indicate, suggest, and insinuate. People who are indirect in what they say and what they mean often allude to what they mean. Some words that rhyme with allude include: collude, conclude, elude, exclude, and include. The word allude derives from the Latin "alludere." It literally means, "to play with." The first known use of the word allude is from the year 1533.
