elusive
Americanadjective
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eluding or failing to allow for or accommodate a clear perception or complete mental grasp; hard to express or define.
an elusive concept.
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cleverly or skillfully evasive.
a fish too elusive to catch.
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difficult to find.
hoping that elusive donors will finally contribute.
adjective
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difficult to catch
an elusive thief
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preferring or living in solitude and anonymity
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difficult to remember
an elusive thought
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of elusive
Compare meaning
How does elusive compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
Things that are elusive are hard to find, pin down, or remember. They slip right out of your grasp. Ever try to catch a mouse? It's not easy, because mice are quick and elusive — they're tough to catch. Rabbits are speedy, so they're elusive too. Also, things that are tough to understand or describe are elusive — like the concepts of love and beauty. If you had an idea and then forgot it, the idea is elusive: it slipped away. Anything you can't get hold of, with your hands or with your brain, is elusive.
Vocabulary lists containing elusive
List 2
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The Hunger Games
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The Things They Carried
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In Borrego Springs, you’ll find a mini explosion of sunflowers, desert sand-verbena, basket evening primrose and even elusive desert lilies.
From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2026
Despite the lures, profitability is elusive, said George Seremwe, president of the Zimbabwe Tobacco Growers Association.
From Barron's • May 15, 2026
Dr. Nester explained that eDNA is especially valuable for detecting fragile, fast-moving, or elusive marine species that may escape traditional nets and underwater cameras.
From Science Daily • May 14, 2026
Ellsworth eschews the idea that she has to strive for any elusive balance between being a mom and entrepreneur.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 10, 2026
Would they have to construct a seaworthy ship and find the elusive Boggy Crone River creature?
From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
