elude

[ih-lood]

verb (used with object)

eluded, eluding 

1. to avoid or escape by speed, cleverness, trickery, etc.; evade.

   to elude capture.

   Synonyms: dodge, shun

2. to escape the understanding, perception, or appreciation of.

   The answer eludes me.

elude

/ ɪˈluːd, ɪˈluːʒən /

verb

1. to escape or avoid (capture, one's pursuers, etc), esp by cunning

2. to avoid fulfilment of (a responsibility, obligation, etc); evade

3. to escape discovery, or understanding by; baffle

   the solution eluded her

Usage

Elude is sometimes wrongly used where allude is meant: he was alluding (not eluding) to his previous visit to the city

Other Word Forms

• elusion noun
• eluder noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of elude¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin ēlūdere “to deceive, evade,” equivalent to ē- “from, out of” + lūdere “to play, deceive”; e- ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of elude¹

C16: from Latin ēlūdere to deceive, from lūdere to play

Synonym Study

See escape.

Example Sentences

El-Fasher, the last state capital in the vast region of Darfur to elude the RSF's grasp, has become the latest strategic front in the war as the paramilitaries attempt to consolidate power in the west.

Read more on Barron's

And despite his view of Nick’s new ambitions, Nelson invites him to a sort of dance-off, in a moment both playful and poignant; they can find communion in dance that eludes them whenever they talk.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But a trophy had eluded him until he lifted the German title last season.

Read more on BBC

Yet, a first goal in a competitive match had eluded him - until now.

Read more on BBC

And even if that reference eluded anyone, Bock’s bouncing, daydreaming, old world melody, practically encoded into our cultural DNA, assured perfect understanding.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• baffle 
• confound 
• dodge 
• evade 
• flee 
• foil 
• frustrate 
• outrun 
• outwit 
• puzzle 
• shun 
• stall 
• stonewall 
• thwart