innuendo Hear it!

innuendo Definition

in·nu·endo (in′yo̵̅o̅ en′dō)

noun pl. -·does or -·dos

  1. Law explanatory material set forth in the complaint in an action for libel or slander which explains the expressions alleged to be libelous or slanderous
  2. an indirect remark, gesture, or reference, usually implying something derogatory; insinuation

Etymology: L, by nodding to, abl. of ger. of innuere, to nod to, hint < in-, in + -nuere, to nod < IE base *neu-, to jerk, beckon, nod > Sans návatē, (he) turns, L numen, a nod

innuendo Synonyms

innuendo

n.

insinuation, intimation, imputation, aside; see allusion, hint 1, suggestion 1.

innuendo Law Definition

n

Latin

  1. An indirect or suggestive remark, usually a disparagement of someone.
  2. A section in a libel pleading explaining the plaintiff’s construction of the defendant’s allegedly libelous utterances.
innuendo Usage Examples

Preposition: about

  • colleague: Making sexual innuendos about a colleague in his or her presence.
  • problem: We all knew the innuendo about the drink problem.

Converse of subject

  • shake: Thankfully, treasured friendships forged over decades are not easily shaken by nasty innuendo.

Converse of object

  • make: Yes that won him a 20 wager from the film crew who had a bet with him about making the biggest possible sexual innuendo.
  • use: Their method was to use innuendo, loaded questions and smears.
  • spot: Faith slams it with a very very long sword ( spot the sexual innuendo!
  • include: Ryan was later accused of including deliberate sexual innuendo in the scripts, a charge that he strenuously denied.
  • understand: Germans are detail- oriented and want to understand every innuendo before coming to an agreement. Business is hierarchical.
  • know: We all knew the innuendo about the drink problem.

Adjective modifier

  • sexual: To think we would be putting sexual innuendo into a children's show is kind of outlandish.
  • mild: But one should bear in mind that traditional British pantomime generally includes mild innuendo, and a pantomime dame.
  • subtle: Irrespective of the validity of some of the comments and the subtle innuendo, or rather the blatant hostility.
  • much: His sexuality and attitude toward Ben is the subject of much innuendo in the series.
  • nasty: Thankfully, treasured friendships forged over decades are not easily shaken by nasty innuendo.
  • smutty: Waiting at the office is his workforce armed to the teeth with smutty innuendo of what he must have been up to last night!

Noun used with modifier

  • camp: His camp innuendos allowed his audience room to pretend that his stories were not about real sex.
  • advertising: The big knobs in advertising use innuendo all the time.