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elusive

[ ih-loo-siv ]
/ ɪˈlu sɪv /
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See synonyms for: elusive / elusiveness on Thesaurus.com

adjective
eluding or failing to allow for or accommodate a clear perception or complete mental grasp; hard to express or define: an elusive concept.
cleverly or skillfully evasive: a fish too elusive to catch.
difficult to find: hoping that elusive donors will finally contribute.

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Also eĀ·luĀ·soĀ·ry [ih-loo-suh-ree, -zuh-]. /ɪˈlu sə ri, -zə-/.

Origin of elusive

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

OTHER WORDS FROM elusive

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH elusive

elusive , illusory

Words nearby elusive

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Ā© Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use elusive in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for elusive

elusive
/ (ɪˈluːsɪv) /

adjective
difficult to catchan elusive thief
preferring or living in solitude and anonymity
difficult to rememberan elusive thought

Derived forms of elusive

elusively, adverbelusiveness, noun

undefined elusive

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition Ā© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 Ā© HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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