Definition of innuendo
innuendos
orinnuendoes
1a : an oblique allusion : hint, insinuation; especially : a veiled or equivocal reflection on character or reputationb : the use of such allusions resorting to innuendo
2 : a parenthetical explanation introduced into the text of a legal document
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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 of innuendo from the Web
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There was a price to pay for any teen who played the song, though not because of its not-that-subtle innuendo.
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While the scene is usually quite kid-friendly, aside from the occasional bit of minor swearing or innuendo, much of its music does tend to focus on many of the series’ harsher plot points.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'innuendo'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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.
Origin and Etymology of innuendo
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
INNUENDO Defined for English Language Learners
innuendo
playDefinition of innuendo for English Language Learners
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: a statement which indirectly suggests that someone has done something immoral, improper, etc.
Law Dictionary
innuendo
playLegal Definition of innuendo
: 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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See words that rhyme with innuendo Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for innuendo Spanish Central: Translation of innuendo Nglish: Translation of innuendo for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of innuendo for Arabic speakers
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