Confusing Words: Allude (verb) and Elude (verb)
Meaning:
Allude (to mention someone or something in a brief or indirect way)
Elude (escape from or avoid)
Allude vs Elude Clarification: The two words are pronounced in the same way but carry very different meanings.
Allude vs Elude – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?
After a good research, I came to know that allude and elude are two proper words with different meanings and functions. The question is why these two words are a source of confusion?
The confusion between these two words is just because of their pronunciation. They sound very similar i.e. their pronuncation is /a-lood/. Allude and elude are just two letters apart. Besides pronunciation, both of these words are used as verbs in sentences. However, their meanings are very different from each other.
Meanings and Examples of Allude and Elude
Allude and elude are homonyms having same sounds but different meanings and usage.
Allude
This word is used as a verb in sentences. Allude means ‘to give a hint or it is used to say something indirectly’. For instance, if you want to point out something but you do not have that much strength to speak out directly. You probably will mention that indirectly. It means that you are alluding.
Think about the word ‘allusion’ and you will get enough idea to clear your confusion regarding ‘allude’. Allude is directly related to allusion.
Let us see how allude works in sentences.
1. She alluded her activities at party, but did not tell openly.
2. The politicians always allude infront of the public; making the public foolish sometimes.
3. The judge did not mention his previous crimes specifically, but he alluded to them in his summary. Reference – (grammar-monster.com)
So, you noticed that allude is acting as a verb in sentences. It is, in fact, a hint given by someone or something and never mention it directly. It means that you have to be very clever when someone alludes.
Elude
Just like allude, this word is used as a verb too. Elude means ‘to run away in a skillful way’. It is synonymous with ‘escape or dodge’. For instance, when someone dodges, it means that he/she escaped in a skillful or dishonest way. This action is quite tricky.
Remember one thing that this escape can be physically or mentally.
1. I have many tricks that is why I can easily elude you.
2. She has to elude the cameraman because he is taking everyone’s pictures.
3. His name eluded me, but his face was familiar. Reference – (k12reader.com)
4. This question has always eluded me in papers.
Hence, it is clear from the above discussion that allude and elude are different from each other. You do not have to be mixed them up.
Check Out: The Difference Between Allusion and Illusion.
What Did You Learn?
The two different words like allude and elude can be called as homonyms. Though their pronunciation is same but they are having different meanings.
Allude means ‘to give a hint’ whereas elude is synonymous with ‘escape’ or ‘dodge’