innuendo

noun

in·​nu·​en·​do ˌin-yə-ˈwen-(ˌ)dō 

-yü-ˈen-

plural innuendos or innuendoes

1

a

: an oblique allusion : hint, insinuation

especially : a veiled or equivocal reflection on character or reputation

b

: the use of such allusions

resorting to innuendo

2

: a parenthetical explanation introduced into the text of a legal document

Did you know?

The word innuere in classical Latin meant “to nod, beckon, or make a sign to” a person, and in medieval Latin more generally “to hint” or “to insinuate.” One form of the gerund of this verb was innuendo, which meant “by hinting.” In medieval legal documents innuendo introduced inserted remarks, meaning “to wit” or “that is to say,” and the word was adopted with the same function into English legal usage. By the late 17th century innuendo was used to refer to the insertion itself and more broadly to any indirect suggestion. Later, the notion of the derogatory possibilities of such remarks came to predominate.

Synonyms

• imputation
• insinuation

Examples of innuendo in a Sentence

His reputation has been damaged by innuendos about his drinking and gambling.

His reputation has been damaged by innuendo.

The movie relies on sexual innuendo for its humor.

Recent Examples on the Web

But the innuendo about the next major contest was already flying among Democrats. —Joanna Allhands, The Arizona Republic, 28 Nov. 2024

The show takes off from there, an hour and a half of glitzy group dance sequences, intimate ballads, and winking innuendos set in a two-story New York City penthouse. —Lucy Feldman, TIME, 2 Oct. 2024

Erik’s statement did not directly address the show’s innuendo that the brothers were lovers. —Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Sep. 2024

Keaton has a cookie that looks like a breast — lots of innuendo and puns follow. —Andy Hoglund, EW.com, 20 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin, by nodding, from innuere to nod to, make a sign to, from in- + nuere to nod; akin to Latin nutare to nod — more at numen

First Known Use

1678, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

innuendo

noun

in·​nu·​en·​do ˌin-yə-ˈwen-dō 

plural innuendos or innuendoes

: a slight suggestion or hint

especially : a suggestion that hurts someone's reputation

Legal Definition

innuendo

noun

in·​nu·​en·​do ˌi-nyü-ˈwen-dō 

: a parenthetical explanation of the text of a legal document

especially : an explanation in a complaint for defamation of the defamatory meaning of a statement by the defendant which is not defamatory on its face compare inducement