innuendos
Hints with subtext
Innuendos is the plural of innuendo—an indirect suggestion or hint, typically insinuating something negative or sexual without stating it outright.
The word often appears in contexts involving subtle accusation or flirtation: The article was full of innuendos about his personal life.
Sexual innuendo trades on double meanings: The comedian's act relied heavily on innuendos.
Phrase with hidden lewdness
- implicationIndirect suggestion or consequence
- hintIndirect suggestion
- suggestionIdea proposed for consideration
- allusionIndirect reference to something
undertone · overtone · subtext · connotation · intimation · veiled reference · coded language · between the lines
Indirect, wordy expression
- evasionAct of escaping detection
- equivocationAmbiguous language avoiding commitment
- obliquenessLack of directness
- hintingSuggesting indirectly
coyness · veiled · hedging · dancing around · skirting · tactfulness · diplomacy · guardedness
Wordplay using double meanings
- wordplayVerbal wit techniques
- quipBrief, clever remark
- wisecrackFlippant clever remark
- banterPlayful, teasing exchange
jest · ribbing · repartee · double meaning · play on words · tongue-in-cheek · wink · off-color humor
Speech without full voice
- rumorUnconfirmed circulating story
- slanderSpoken false defamation
- smearSpread or defame
- aspersionDefamatory remark
defamation · backbiting · mudslinging · character assassination · snide remark · cattiness · poison pen · trash talk
double entendre
Phrase with hidden lewdness
- implicationIndirect suggestion or consequence
- hintIndirect suggestion
- suggestionIdea proposed for consideration
allusion · undertone · overtone · subtext · connotation · intimation · veiled reference · coded language · between the lines · unspoken meaning
circumlocution
Indirect, wordy expression
- evasionAct of escaping detection
- equivocationAmbiguous language avoiding commitment
- obliquenessLack of directness
hinting · coyness · veiled · hedging · dancing around · skirting · tactfulness · diplomacy · guardedness · euphemism
pun
Wordplay using double meanings
banter · jest · ribbing · repartee · double meaning · play on words · tongue-in-cheek · wink · off-color humor · suggestive joke
whisper
Speech without full voice
aspersion · defamation · backbiting · mudslinging · character assassination · snide remark · cattiness · poison pen · trash talk
- come-onspickup lines, flirtation, advances, passes, overtures
- teasingtease, teasing, rib, ribbing, josh
- whisperswhisper, whispering, hushed tone, soft voice, low voice
- wordplaypun, puns, punning, punny, punster
- obscuritiesmysteries, secrets, enigmas, puzzles, riddles
- sexual innuendoSuggestive remark, indirectly lewd