Added 22 October 2026
innuendo
/ˌɪnjuˈɛndəʊ/ noun
Latin root: innuendō Wiktionary
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about innuendo at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
-
A derogatory hint or reference to, or (often sexual) insinuation about, a person or thing.
She made a devious innuendo about her opponent, who was embarrassed.
- A remark that is suggestive of something sexual without stating it explicitly.
- A rhetorical device with an omitted but obvious conclusion, made to increase the force of an argument.
verb
- To interpret (something libellous or slanderous) in terms of what was implied.
Origin
From the Latin innuendō (“by nodding”), ablative singular form of innuendum (“a nodding”), gerund of innuō (“to give a nod”).
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)