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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keaton has a cookie that looks like a breast — lots of innuendo and puns follow. Andy Hoglund, EW.com, 20 Oct. 2024 Although her songs may sound bubbly and sweet, many contain innuendos and explicit language. Holly Garcia, Parents, 15 Oct. 2024 Elon Musk, the X owner who has endorsed Trump, has repeatedly posted rumors and innuendo denigrating the federal government’s response to Helene. Brian Stelter, CNN, 5 Oct. 2024 That said, this is an incredibly tough question, tending to spark more rumor and innuendo than uncover any truths, as onlookers try to determine who knew what when. Lavanya Ramanathan, Vox, 26 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for innuendo 

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 6 Dec. 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

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