allusive
/əˈljuː.sɪv/
Group 23Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Containing an indirect reference; suggestive GRE
Example in Context
The poet's allusive style, drawing on classical mythology and contemporary politics, rewarded readers who brought wide-ranging knowledge to the text.
Synonyms
hintingsuggestiveindirect
Etymology
Containing references or hints rather than direct statements.
- alludere (Latin) — to refer to
Memory Aid
🪣Sounds like “a loose sieve”
When I try to catch fish with a LOOSE SIEVE, all I get are ALLUSIVE hints of fish!
Visual Association
🔍A detective with a magnifying glass examining a book filled with hidden references.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “allusive” mean on the GRE?
allusive (adjective) means “Containing an indirect reference; suggestive”. The poet's allusive style, drawing on classical mythology and contemporary politics, rewarded readers who brought wide-ranging knowledge to the text.
How to remember “allusive” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “allusive” sounds like “a loose sieve”. When I try to catch fish with a LOOSE SIEVE, all I get are ALLUSIVE hints of fish!
What are synonyms for “allusive”?
Common synonyms: hinting, suggestive, indirect.