Vocabulary in context
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Elusive
Difficult to catch, grasp, or define; hard to understand or achieve.
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Imagine This
Imagine a shy, fox-like creature in a dense, foggy forest that always slips just beyond your reach. No matter how carefully you follow, it vanishes at the last moment, leaving only a whisper and a rustle in the leaves.
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Sounds Like
ih-LOO-siv
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Looks Like
Looks like elude + ive; visually resembles the root elude (to escape).
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Remember This
From Latin eludere, meaning to escape or evade (e- out + ludere 'to play'). Related words: elude (verb) and elusiveness (noun).
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Other Forms
elusivenessnoun
elusivelyadverb
eludeverb
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Note
Elusive describes things that are hard to catch or understand. Do not confuse with illusive or illusory, which relate to illusion or deception. Also used for goals or concepts that are difficult to pin down.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The exact location of the treasure remained elusive.
- The solution to the final puzzle proved elusive.
Synonyms
evasiveslipperycryptichard-to-pin-down
Antonyms
obviousevidentdefinite
Etymology
From Latin eludere 'to escape, evade' (e- out + ludere 'to play'); the -ive suffix forms an adjective from the verb elude.
Mnemonic
ELUSIVE: Escape, Leave you, Uncatchable, Slip away, Invisibility, Vanishes Easily.
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Novelty
nounThe quality of being new, original, or unusual; something new and interesting, such as a small, inexpensive item designed to attract attention.
Coalesce
verbTo grow together; unite into one body
Benediction
nounA blessing or good wishes spoken aloud, especially at the end of a religious service.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Obscure
adjectiveNot clear or easily understood; not readily noticed or known; also, to make something unclear or difficult to discern.
Ambiguous
adjectiveOpen to more than one interpretation; not clear or definite.
Abstruse
adjectiveDifficult to understand; obscure or highly complex.
Accidental
adjectiveHappening by chance or without deliberate planning; not intended. In music, it is also a noun for a symbol that temporarily alters a pitch.
Acerbic
adjectiveSharp or biting in tone or taste; caustic or mordant in manner.
Acquiescent
adjectiveReady to agree or approve without protest; compliant.
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