innuendo

noun

in·​nu·​en·​do ˌin-yə-ˈwen-(ˌ)dō How to pronounce innuendo (audio)
-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.

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 when actual football prowess can take the rumble seat — now, when losers and even winners can be swayed by measurables and innuendo. Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2024 There are several quick kisses and some innuendo that’s likely to go over kids’ heads, like Bridget (Zooey Deschanel) joking about getting tied up during her honeymoon or making out before possibly dying. Common Sense Media, Washington Post, 17 Nov. 2023 Still, one imagines that the coy innuendos of ‘Brand New Key’ resonated for, say, Madonna, in a way that Carole King or Roberta Flack never did. Paul Grein, Billboard, 30 Jan. 2024 One teacher mentions, with innuendo, the new cleaning staff. Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, 8 Jan. 2024 Unlike its reporting today, though, Forbes’s reporting back then wasn’t filled with all manner of insinuation and innuendo. Becket Adams, National Review, 24 Dec. 2023 Rumors, innuendo or false accusations only serve to hurt our family and will be addressed through counsel as the law permits. Sydni Ellis, Peoplemag, 13 Dec. 2023 Rumors, gossip and innuendo had spread about who was responsible. Jonathan Abrams, New York Times, 4 Nov. 2023 Her act did surprisingly well in nightclubs, most likely because her lines in verse were full of innuendo, but her success also stemmed from her ability to adapt to smaller stages with difficult sightlines and angles for many magic tricks. Vanessa Armstrong, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'innuendo.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of innuendo was in 1678

Dictionary Entries Near innuendo

Cite this Entry

“Innuendo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/innuendo. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

innuendo

noun
in·​nu·​en·​do ˌin-yə-ˈwen-dō How to pronounce innuendo (audio)
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 How to pronounce innuendo (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on innuendo

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