allusive
Hinting at something
Allusive describes speech or writing that makes indirect references to something else—a text, event, person, or idea—without naming it explicitly.
An allusive style assumes shared knowledge between writer and reader: Her poetry is densely allusive, drawing on classical mythology.
The effect can be elegant or exclusionary depending on whether the audience catches the references.
Suggesting indirectly
- implyingSuggesting without stating directly
- suggestiveHinting at impropriety
- obliqueAngled, not straightforward
- veiledConcealed or obscured
subtle · implicit · insinuating · elliptical · circumlocutory · tacit · intimated · roundabout
Representing through signs
- metaphoricalSymbolic rather than literal
- figurativeRepresenting through imagery
- suggestiveHinting at impropriety
- resonantDeeply vibrating with sound
atmospheric · impressionistic · poetic · layered · nuanced · subtext · intimation · haunting
Puzzling and obscure
- obscureUnknown to most
- veiledConcealed or obscured
- mysteriousBeyond easy comprehension
- inscrutableImpossible to understand
opaque · esoteric · abstruse · hidden · arcane · puzzling · recondite · hermetic
Mention of a source
- quotationCited passage or price
- literaryOf written works
- intertextualLinking between texts
- echoingReflecting sound repeatedly
evoking · reminiscent · scholarly · annotated · footnoted · borrowed · derivative · homage
hinting
Suggesting indirectly
- implyingSuggesting without stating directly
- suggestiveHinting at impropriety
- obliqueAngled, not straightforward
veiled · subtle · implicit · insinuating · elliptical · circumlocutory · tacit · intimated · roundabout · periphrastic
symbolic
Representing through signs
- metaphoricalSymbolic rather than literal
- figurativeRepresenting through imagery
- suggestiveHinting at impropriety
resonant · atmospheric · impressionistic · poetic · layered · nuanced · subtext · intimation · haunting · dreamlike
enigmatic
Puzzling and obscure
- obscureUnknown to most
- veiledConcealed or obscured
- mysteriousBeyond easy comprehension
inscrutable · opaque · esoteric · abstruse · hidden · arcane · puzzling · recondite · hermetic · oracular
citation
Mention of a source
- quotationCited passage or price
- literaryOf written works
- intertextualLinking between texts
echoing · evoking · reminiscent · scholarly · annotated · footnoted · borrowed · derivative · homage · pastiche
allusivedirect
Undeviating or to guide
explicit · straightforward · plain · blunt · literal
allusiveself-explanatory
Clear from its own terms
accessible · self-contained · simple · standalone · basic
- biblical allusionReference to sacred texts
- literary allusion