illusive

[ ih-loo-siv ]

/ ɪˈlu sɪv /

Save This Word!

adjective

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!

Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.

Question 1 of 7

“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

Origin of illusive

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

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

Exclusive is illusive — for as long as it takes someone to re-write and publish.
‘Exclusive is illusive’: U.K. publishers launch plan to mitigate loss of traffic when sources aren’t properly cited|Seb Joseph|November 29, 2021|Digiday
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
It may be conjectured that this hope was illusive, for Bragg had exceedingly accurate sources of information.
Stone's River|Wilson J. Vance
"He loves to call a football an 'illusive spheroid,'" chuckled another chap.
Left Tackle Thayer|Ralph Henry Barbour

But happiness is as illusive as time, and is proved as perspicuously to be but a thing of memory, by the same venerable saint.
Library Notes|A. P. Russell
How he sickened for the bright translucent waters of the mirage, though he knew them false and illusive as a dream!
Sarchedon|G. J. (George John) Whyte-Melville
Nor has any obscure, mysterious, or illusive point in history been cleared up by the spirits.
Mysterious Psychic Forces|Camille Flammarion