elude

[ ih-lood ]

verb (used with object)

, e·lud·ed, e·lud·ing.

1. to avoid or escape by speed, cleverness, trickery, etc.; evade:

   to elude capture.

   Synonyms: dodge, shun

2. to escape the understanding, perception, or appreciation of:

   The answer eludes me.

elude

/ ɪˈluːd; ɪˈluːʒən /

verb

1. to escape or avoid (capture, one's pursuers, etc), esp by cunning
2. to avoid fulfilment of (a responsibility, obligation, etc); evade
3. to escape discovery, or understanding by; baffle

   the solution eluded her

Usage

Elude is sometimes wrongly used where allude is meant: he was alluding (not eluding) to his previous visit to the city

Derived Forms

• elusion, noun
• eˈluder, noun

Other Words From

• e·lud·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of elude¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin ēlūdere “to deceive, evade,” equivalent to ē- “from, out of” + lūdere “to play, deceive”; e- ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of elude¹

C16: from Latin ēlūdere to deceive, from lūdere to play

Synonym Study

See escape.

Example Sentences

Roughly 4% of the population is affected by a congenital brain malformation that has eluded researchers' efforts to find causes and treatments.

From Science Daily

The US Open eluded him the longest, but when he conquered New York in 2010, he became the youngest man in the Open era to complete the career Grand Slam.

From BBC

“Because autism presents itself differently in females, a lot of times they can use masking techniques to elude being diagnosed,” Ohora explains.

From Los Angeles Times

President-elect Donald Trump has given two wealthy entrepreneurs a mission that has eluded many other occupants of the White House: Make the U.S. government smaller and more efficient.

From Los Angeles Times

Until now, Betty's killer has eluded justice and cold case detective Anne Dreijer-Heemskerk is determined to change that: “A young woman, only 19, taken from life in such a horrific way.”

From BBC

Related Words

• baffle
• confound
• dodge
• evade
• flee
• foil
• frustrate
• outrun
• outwit
• puzzle
• shun
• stall
• stonewall
• thwart