To allude is to refer to something in an indirect manner. Elude usually means to escape from or avoid danger. Because “elude” and “allude” are homophones (words that sound alike), they are often confused – even by native English speakers
Explanation:
Allude is the verb form for making an oblique reference. When anything "alludes" to another, to is typically used after it.
Elude means "to dodge" or "to elude vision or understanding," and it has the same root as allude. Recall that elude begins with E, exactly like escape and evade, to help you remember.
Both words are verbs that are partially derived from the Latin word ludere, which means "to play."
While elude derives from the middle of the 17th century, allude has been in use from the early 16th century.
Allude is defined as "to have or make indirect reference (as in passing or by suggestion); to refer indirectly," however some usage guides use the term more broadly to imply "to refer."
(some usage guides do not care for this broadened meaning).
Allude is typically, although not always, followed by the preposition to.
The meanings of elude, in contrast to allude, which is commonly used to indicate "avoid direct mention," deal with a distinct kind of avoidance: "to evade," "to escape the perception, comprehension, or grasp of," and "to reject attempts at."
Conclusion:
If you need additional assistance in distinguishing between these words it may help to remember that elude begins with an E and is often concerned with escaping and evading, while allude, beginning with an A, is a way of talking about things without direct mention.
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