Sound-alike words

Allude vs. Elude

Allude means to mention something indirectly, without naming it outright. Elude means to escape or avoid something, or to be hard to understand or remember. A speaker alludes to a problem; a runaway puppy eludes its owner.

Word	Part of speech	Meaning
allude	verb	to mention or hint at something without saying it directly; usually followed by to
elude	verb	to escape from or avoid someone or something, often by being quick or clever
elude	verb	to fail to be understood, reached or remembered by someone

Allude

verb: to mention or hint at something without saying it directly; usually followed by to

In her speech, the coach alluded to a tough season ahead.
He kept alluding to a surprise but would not say more.

Elude

verb: to escape from or avoid someone or something, often by being quick or clever

The runaway goat eluded the farmer for two days.
Our cat eludes us every time we bring out the carrier.

verb: to fail to be understood, reached or remembered by someone

The answer to the last riddle eluded everyone at the table.
A first win has eluded the team all season.

How to remember the difference

Allude and allusion both start with all, as in all hints and no names. Elude starts with e, as in escape.

Good to know

Allude is followed by to and usually means an indirect mention; if a speaker names something plainly, mention or refer to is more exact. The adjective elusive (hard to catch or find) comes from elude.

Spot the mistake

The deer ~~alluded~~ eluded the photographers by staying deep in the woods.
Correct: The deer eluded the photographers by staying deep in the woods.
The author ~~eludes~~ alludes to her childhood in the final chapter.
Correct: The author alludes to her childhood in the final chapter.

Check yourself

Pick the word that fits each sentence.

1. Sleep seemed to me all night before the exam.

2. Did the manager to any changes in the budget?