elusive

adjective

elu·​sive ē-ˈlü-siv 

-ˈlü-ziv

: tending to elude: such as

a

: tending to evade grasp or pursuit

elusive prey

b

: hard to comprehend or define

c

: hard to isolate or identify

elusively adverb

elusiveness noun

Synonyms of elusive

• slippery
• transient
• evasive

Examples of elusive in a Sentence

But for all their influence, D.C. lobbyists have failed to attain one elusive goal: public respect. —Franklin Foer, New Republic, 25 Mar. 2002

In truth, the ideal of wholly disinterested scholarship—in any field of research—will probably remain an elusive one. —Henry Louis Gates, Jr., New York Times, 4 Apr. 1998

His meanings have been known to be elusive, which is why he appeals to pop cryptographers. —Sarah Vowell, GQ, November 1998

This boson is so central to the state of physics today, so crucial to our final understanding of the structure of matter, yet so elusive, that I have given it a nickname: the God Particle. —Leon Lederman et al., The God Particle, 1993

The truth may prove elusive.

the giant squid is one of the ocean's most elusive inhabitants

Recent Examples on the Web

Behind the scenes, the brilliant and taciturn spymaster Smiley orchestrates operations while the elusive Soviet mastermind Karla looms in the shadows, setting the stage for a conflict that will define a generation. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 28 Sep. 2026

This time, in collaboration with Dimoregallery, the luxury brand’s historic Villa Mozart was transformed into a set that took guests into the life of an elusive Milanese woman. — Katie Abel, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026

Ricochet’s 18-detector setup studies elusive reactor neutrinos while new software automates monitoring and analysis. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026

The Sun is in your sign, but while sitting across from elusive Neptune, the person in front of you could be a mix of reality and projection. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin ēlūsus, past participle of ēlūdere "to trick, avoid, elude" + -ive

First Known Use

1725, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for elusive

• abusive
• allusive
• collusive
• conclusive
• conducive
• delusive
• diffusive
• exclusive
• extrusive
• illusive
• inclusive
• intrusive

Kids Definition

elusive

adjective

elu·​sive ē-ˈlü-siv 

-ziv

1

: hard to find or capture : evasive

elusive prey

2

: hard to understand or define

an elusive idea

elusively adverb

elusiveness noun