Allude vs Elude
Published January 16, 2023. Updated January 16, 2023.
Allude and Elude might sound the same, but they mean completely different things. They are both verbs but the actions they represent have nothing in common. Allude means to refer to something indirectly; to hint at something but not say it straight out; to “beat around the bush.” Elude means to escape or avoid something. The word elude requires an object: you have to elude something.
Here are some definitions and examples to help make the use of these words clearer.
Allude (verb)
To refer indirectly to something.
Examples:
She was being secretive and only alluded to her past problems.
In the letter, my boyfriend alluded to a surprise gift he got me.
In both sentences, the word allude is the verb – it’s the action of the sentence. Think of allude as hinting about something, but not directly saying it. Also, notice in both sentences, after allude, there is the word “to.” Use those two words together: allude to.
Elude (verb)
To escape or avoid.
Examples:
The thief eluded the police and got away with the stolen goods.
A strong sense of smell is what helps wild animals elude hunters.
In the top sentence, the word elude means to avoid capture. The object of elude is the police. What is the thief avoiding? The police. In the second sentence, the word elude means to escape from. The object of elude is hunters. What are the wild animals escaping from? Hunters.
Main Points
- Allude is a verb (action) that means to hint at something but not say it directly.
- Elude is a verb (action) that means to avoid or escape something or someone.
- The only things allude and elude have in common is that they sound the same and are both verbs.