elusive

[ ih-loo-siv ]
/ ɪˈlu sɪv /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR elusive ON THESAURUS.COM

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.
Also e·lu·so·ry [ih-loo-suh-ree, -zuh-] /ɪˈlu sə ri, -zə-/.

Origin of elusive

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

OTHER WORDS FROM elusive

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH elusive

elusive illusory

Words nearby elusive

elude, eluent, elul, elura, elusion, elusive, elusory, elute, elution, elutriate, elutriator

Words related to elusory

tricky, ambiguous, volatile, fleeting, puzzling, illusory, slippery, subtle, incomprehensible, unclear, deceptive, misleading, cagey, vague, false, baffling, deceitful, equivocal, evanescent, fallacious

British Dictionary definitions for elusory (1 of 2)

elusory
/ (ɪˈluːsərɪ) /

adjective

avoiding the issue; evasive elusory arguments
difficult to grasp mentally; elusive elusory ideas

British Dictionary definitions for elusory (2 of 2)

elusive
/ (ɪˈluːsɪv) /

adjective

difficult to catch an elusive thief
preferring or living in solitude and anonymity
difficult to remember an elusive thought

Derived forms of elusive

elusively, adverb elusiveness, noun

undefined elusive

See illusory