What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
innuendo
Example
The politician made an innuendo about his opponent's personal life. [innuendo: noun]
Example
She was offended by the innuendo in his comment. [innuendo: adjective]
imply
Example
He didn't say it outright, but he implied that he didn't trust her. [implied: verb]
Example
The tone of her voice implied that she was unhappy with the situation. [implied: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Imply is more commonly used than innuendo in everyday language. Imply is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while innuendo is less common and often associated with informal or gossipy communication.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between innuendo and imply?
Imply is generally considered more formal than innuendo. Imply can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while innuendo is often associated with informal or negative communication.