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definitions

illusive

[ ih-loo-siv ]
/ ɪˈlu sɪv /
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adjective

illusory.

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RELATED WORDS

apparent, chimerical, deceitful, delusive, fake, illusory, imaginary, misleading, mocking, seeming, sham, false, unread

Nearby words

  1. illus.,
  2. illusion,
  3. illusionary,
  4. illusionism,
  5. illusionist,
  6. illusively,
  7. illusory,
  8. illust.,
  9. illustrate,
  10. illustrated

Origin of illusive

First recorded in 1670–80; illus(ory) + -ive
Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for illusive

Word Origin and History for illusive

illusive

adj.

"deceptive, illusory," formed in English 1670s, from stem of illusion + -ive; cf. also illusory.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper