Allude and Elude
What is the difference between allude and elude?
Allude means to refer to indirectly.
Elude means to avoid or to evade.
Allude means to refer to indirectly.
Elude means to avoid or to evade.
Allude and Elude
The verbs allude and elude sound very similar, and this is why they are sometimes confused.Allude
To allude means to refer to indirectly. The verbs to allude and to mention are close in meaning, but to allude is less direct. It can be translated as to hint at or to offer an indication about.Examples:
- This Chinese
saying alludes to nature's power: "A spark can start a fire that burns the entire prairie."
(The saying does not mention nature's power, but it offers a clue about nature's
power. The saying alludes to nature's power.)
- "Forewarned is forearmed" alludes to the importance of being in control.
(offers an indication about the importance of being in control)
- The judge did not mention his previous crimes specifically, but he alluded to them in his
summary.
(hinted at previous crimes)
Elude
To elude means to avoid, to evade, or to escape from.- Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid try to elude capture.
(try to avoid capture)
- Peter Beardsley used to allude defenders with his trademark foot shuffle.
(avoid defenders / should be elude)
A Quick Test
Elude Means Escape
Remember the meaning of elude by remembering that it starts with the same letter as escape.- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?