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elusive
[ ih-loo-siv ]
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.
elusive
/ ɪˈluːsɪv /
adjective
- difficult to catch
an elusive thief
- preferring or living in solitude and anonymity
- difficult to remember
an elusive thought
Usage
Derived Forms
- eˈlusively, adverb
- eˈlusiveness, noun
Other Word Forms
- e·lusive·ly adverb
- e·lusive·ness noun
- none·lusive adjective
- none·lusive·ly adverb
- none·lusive·ness noun
- une·lusive adjective
- une·lusive·ly adverb
- une·lusive·ness noun
- une·luso·ry adjective
Compare Meanings
How does elusive compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Example Sentences
The elusive goal of prevention is to identify that small percentage.
To fight an elusive enemy operating clandestinely at night and from hideouts deep in swamps and jungles, the U.S. military turned to environmental modification technologies.
Common species such as the fence lizard could serve as a benchmark for scientists monitoring rarer or more elusive creatures.
A new report from the Wall Street Journal shows that Hegseth is starting to see elusive leakers in his nightmares.
Bars of gold may have proven elusive, but the group did make finds.
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