As a literary device, allusion allows a writer to compress a great deal of meaning and significance into a word or phrase. However, allusions are only effective to the extent that they are …

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.

Allusion is when an author references something external to his or her work in a passing manner. For example, an author may reference a musical artist or song, a great thinker or philosopher, …

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-, …

Allusions use the original reference as a point of departure, but they can also change the referent and add meaning retroactively. Allusions create intertextuality in this way. It is important to …

Allusions are literary winks—subtle references to famous people, places, events, or works that add depth to writing. They make your words pop with cultural resonance, but only if you know …

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, …

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.

Feb 7, 2025 · As figures of speech, allusions can reference anything from Victorian fairy tales to popular culture and from the Bible to the Bard. Learn more about what allusions are and how …

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.