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illusive

[ ih-loo-siv ]

/ ɪˈlu sɪv /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR illusive

adjective

QUIZZES

CAN YOU GUESS THESE WORDS FROM AROUND THE US?

American English is not always as it appears to be ... get to know regional words in this quiz!

Question 1 of 10

A bet is synonymous with a wager, but what does it mean in New York?

Often it means something is impossible.

It’s another way to agree with someone.

It serves as an apology.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of illusive

First recorded in 1670–80; illus(ory) + -ive

OTHER WORDS FROM illusive

il·lu·sive·ly, adverbil·lu·sive·ness, nounnon·il·lu·sive, adjectivenon·il·lu·sive·ly, adverb

non·il·lu·sive·ness, nounun·il·lu·sive, adjective

Words nearby illusive

ill-use, illusion, illusionary, illusionism, illusionist, illusive, illusory, illust., illustrate, illustrated, illustration

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for illusive

Bragman says Johnson has that illusive “it” factor that everyone wants.
The Fabulous Life of EJ Johnson, the Stylish Son of the Lakers Legend|Itay Hod|June 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
To be in love, to strive, yet not to possess—that is the poetry of love, sweet but illusive.
The Created Legend|Feodor Sologub
Deceived by his illusive standard, he has composed a poem which is perpetually fancy, and never passion.
Curiosities of Literature, Vol. 1 (of 3)|Isaac D'Israeli
But the surface of the planet yields little detail, and that little is illusive and ill-defined.
Are the Planets Inhabited?|E. Walter Maunder

At planting, at plowing and at gathering, no detail was too small or too illusive to escape his eye.
An Arkansas Planter|Opie Percival Read
Miss Ophelia and the physician alone felt no encouragement from this illusive truce.
Uncle Tom's Cabin|Harriet Beecher Stowe

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