innuendo

noun in·nu·en·do \ ˌin-yə-ˈwen-(ˌ)dō , -yü-ˈen- \

|Updated on: 11 Jun 2018

Examples: innuendo in a Sentence

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

Definition of innuendo

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

See innuendo defined for English-language learners

See innuendo defined for kids

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

Until then, the innuendo needs to stop and St. Frances’ competitors need to work harder.

— mike preston, baltimoresun.com, "Preston: No sympathy for the MIAA schools complaining about St. Frances," 31 May 2018
This would be far from the first time that Trump -- as a candidate and as president -- has purposely trafficked in innuendo and rumor to further his political goals.

— chris cillizza, CNN, "Donald Trump says he knows things that would be very damaging to Jon Tester. Like, what?," 30 Apr. 2018
Oregon Project coach Alberto Salazar and his athletes are being tarnished by unproven accusations supported only by anecdote, innuendo and circumstance.

— OregonLive.com, "Portland will have an outsized presence at the Boston Marathon: Oregon track & field rundown," 13 Apr. 2018
Right now, there is a lot of rumor and innuendo out there.

— adam zuvanich, San Antonio Express-News, "Cornerstone brings in Booty family to boost athletic program," 27 Apr. 2018
The band zeroes in on hair metal for full skewering, with its oversexed vibe, relentless innuendo and bizarro kabuki androgyny.

— john adamian, courant.com, "Steel Panther To Play Webster Theater," 21 Apr. 2018
Other times, the reader is left without the landmarks or narrative mile markers needed to connect the two journeys, diminishing the innuendo that walking-in-the-footsteps adventures often pack.

— porter fox, Outside Online, "The Best New Books About Epic Expeditions," 19 Apr. 2018
Comey's observations, hints and innuendo never quite pull together to form a clear picture of the President or the precise extent of his alleged misconduct.

— gregory krieg, CNN, "Comey's Trumpy streak is showing during book blitz," 17 Apr. 2018
Sol Wisenberg, thanks so much, appreciate your expertise especially at a time like this where everything is so much in secret and innuendo and secret sources.

— Fox News, "Student speaks out about 'Christian privilege' seminar," 5 Apr. 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1678

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

innuendo Synonyms

Synonyms

imputation, insinuation;

Related Words

aspersion, libel, slander, smear;

affront, dig, epithet, indignity, insult, slight, slur;

hint, inkling, intimation, suggestion;

INNUENDO Defined for English Language Learners

innuendo

noun

Definition of innuendo for English Language Learners

: a statement which indirectly suggests that someone has done something immoral, improper, etc.

Law Dictionary

innuendo

noun in·nu·en·do \ ˌi-nyü-ˈwen-dō \

legal 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