elusive

[ ih-loo-siv ]

adjective

1. eluding or failing to allow for or accommodate a clear perception or complete mental grasp; hard to express or define:

   an elusive concept.

2. cleverly or skillfully evasive:

   a fish too elusive to catch.

   Synonyms: baffling, puzzling, shifty, slippery, tricky

3. difficult to find:

   hoping that elusive donors will finally contribute.

elusive

/ ɪˈluːsɪv /

adjective

1. difficult to catch

   an elusive thief

2. preferring or living in solitude and anonymity
3. difficult to remember

   an elusive thought

Usage

See illusory

Derived Forms

• eˈlusively, adverb
• eˈlusiveness, noun

Other Words From

• e·lusive·ly adverb
• e·lusive·ness noun
• none·lusive adjective
• none·lusive·ly adverb
• none·lusive·ness noun
• une·lusive adjective
• une·lusive·ly adverb
• une·lusive·ness noun
• une·luso·ry adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of elusive¹

First recorded in 1710–20; elus(ion) + -ive

Example Sentences

His backstory and motivations are elusive, but in this version there’s a stronger sense of why.

From Los Angeles Times

Republicans need only two wins to achieve a majority in Congress — and obtain the elusive trifecta of being in charge of the House, Senate and the presidency.

From Los Angeles Times

In 2014, Japanese man Dorian Nakamoto was pursued by reporters who thought he was the elusive Bitcoin creator, but it proved to be false lead caused by some mistranslated information.

From BBC

The house-filling aroma that real coffee generates is still elusive for them.

From BBC

During the sing-along, Grande and other “SNL” personalities reveal that their bride bestie Kelsey cheated on her new husband Matt during her bachelorette party with an elusive man named Domingo.

From Salon

Related Words

• ambiguous
• fleeting
• illusory
• incomprehensible
• puzzling
• slippery
• subtle
• tricky
• volatile