Quantcast
Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
  • Dictionary
  • Thesaurus
  • Scrabble
  • Spanish Central
  • Learner's Dictionary

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

illusive

play
adjective il·lu·sive \i-ˈlü-siv, -ziv\

Definition of illusive

  1. :  illusory

illusively

adverb

illusiveness

noun


1606

First Known Use of illusive

1606

Rhymes with illusive

allusive, collusive, conclusive, conducive, delusive, diffusive, effusive, elusive, exclusive, extrusive, inclusive, intrusive, obtrusive, preclusive, prelusive, protrusive, reclusive, suffusive

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up illusive? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

WORD OF THE DAY

hypocorism

play

a pet name or the use of pet names

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. ransom "We do not pay ransom"

  2. redact That's classified

  3. pivot "I mean, you have to be you"

  4. winningest Yes, winningest is a real word

  5. sarcasm, sarcastic From 'sarkazein', "to tear flesh like dogs"

SEE ALL

Words at Play

tawdry
How a Saint Gave Us the Word 'Tawdry'

A tawdry history

alternate-alternative
Alternate vs. Alternative

It's good to have choices

scale
What Does 'Scale the Business' Mean?

Scaling 'scale'

draconian
10 Words That Prove Fame Isn't Everything

Not all publicity is good

Ask the Editors

payday
How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

mrs-malaprop
Malaprop

We'll tell you all the perpendiculars

video-irregardless-grammar-peeve-blend-of-the-synonyms-irrespective-and-regardless
Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

video-moose-goose-weird-plurals
Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

name-more-food
Name More Food!

Test your knowledge of food vocabulary!

Take the quiz
rembrandt-painting-a-young-scholar-and-his-tutor
Original Meanings Quiz

A quiz for the pedantic and those annoyed by them!

Take the quiz
Name That Thing
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

Take the quiz
SCRABBLE® Sprint
SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!

Play the game