Meaning & use
cultural allusions
Last updated
Meaning
nounplural
Indirect references to well-known books, films, history, or traditions that most people in a culture recognize.
Grammar: Usually plural; the singular 'cultural allusion' refers to one such reference.
Patterns
- make a cultural allusion to something
- be full of cultural allusions
- a cultural allusion in a text
The novel is full of cultural allusions to Greek myths.
His speech made a cultural allusion to a famous 1960s song.
Understanding the film's cultural allusions requires some knowledge of American history.
Word forms
| singular | cultural allusion |
|---|
Common combinations
- make a cultural allusion
- The writer makes a cultural allusion to Shakespeare's plays.
- full of cultural allusions
- The poem is full of cultural allusions that confuse foreign readers.
- understand cultural allusions
- You need to understand cultural allusions to enjoy the satire.
- a cultural allusion to
- There is a cultural allusion to the Bible in the first paragraph.
Synonyms and how they differ
Word family
Commonly confused: cultural allusions or illusion?
cultural allusions vs illusion
An 'illusion' is a false idea or a trick of the senses; an 'allusion' is an indirect reference.
Practice
The professor's lecture was full of ______ to ancient Roman history.
Choose one answer.
'Cultural allusions' are indirect references to shared cultural knowledge, which fits the context of Roman history. 'Cultural illusions' are false beliefs, 'culture shocks' are feelings of disorientation, and 'cultural assumptions' are beliefs taken for granted, none of which means a reference.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “cultural allusions”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.