elusive

Also e·lu·so·ry

[ih-loo-siv]

adjective

1. eluding or failing to allow for or accommodate a clear perception or complete mental grasp; hard to express or define.

   an elusive concept.

2. cleverly or skillfully evasive.

   a fish too elusive to catch.

   Synonyms: baffling, puzzling, shifty, slippery, tricky

3. difficult to find.

   hoping that elusive donors will finally contribute.

elusive

/ ɪˈluːsɪv /

adjective

1. difficult to catch

   an elusive thief

2. preferring or living in solitude and anonymity

3. difficult to remember

   an elusive thought

Other Word Forms

• elusively adverb
• elusiveness noun
• nonelusive adjective
• nonelusively adverb
• nonelusiveness noun
• unelusive adjective
• unelusively adverb
• unelusiveness noun
• unelusory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of elusive¹

First recorded in 1710–20; elus(ion) + -ive

Example Sentences

Stability off the field is proving just as elusive as success on it.

Read more on BBC

The address enabled Luna’s hard-won spot in a subsidized preschool program, the family’s public benefits, access to Newman’s medical specialists and the elusive form of state health insurance — “straight Medi-Cal” — she needs for a transplant.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

As anyone over 30 will attest, sleep can be elusive and trendy supplements from magnesium to melatonin only do so much.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The launch of Gemini 3 has handed Google an elusive victory: The company, for the first time in years, has pulled well ahead in the race to develop artificial intelligence.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Root was out for a duck in the first innings as he hunts an elusive first Test century in Australia.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• ambiguous 
• fleeting 
• illusory 
• incomprehensible 
• puzzling 
• slippery 
• subtle 
• tricky 
• volatile