elusive

adjective

elu·​sive ē-ˈlü-siv How to pronounce elusive (audio)
-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

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 See photos of the phenomenon and read about the photographer and artist duo who captured the elusive firefall last month. Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 6 Mar. 2024 Read Next Trove of 1,000-year-old vases held ‘unexpected’ and ‘elusive’ surprise. Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2024 Despite saying bipartisan work had become too elusive, Sinema will leave the Senate with several significant legislative victories, such as a trillion-dollar national infrastructure law and the biggest changes to gun laws in three decades. Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 5 Mar. 2024 There is, to my mind, a charming and elusive element to finer Chablis. Cathy Huyghe, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 The jury spent three days deliberating one of the most elusive murders in hip-hop history. Jessica Moore, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2024 In a tradition that stretches back to the 1960s, the west-facing public plaza attracts buskers and street acrobats keen to entertain the throngs searching for the elusive green flash that occasionally appears just as the sun disappears on the horizon. Elaine Glusac, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2024 The most successful girls can demand $3,000 from their sponsors for a single post on Instagram, but monetary gain can be elusive for others, who receive free or discounted clothes in exchange for their posts and have to pay for their own hairstyling and makeup, among other costs. Michael H. Keller, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2024 Weaving together themes of transformation, place, latencies, and the elusive body, Keisha Scarville's artistic vision has found resonance at the Studio Museum of Harlem, ICA Philadelphia, and The Brooklyn Museum of Art. Photovogue, Vogue, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'elusive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see elusion

First Known Use

1719, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of elusive was in 1719

Dictionary Entries Near elusive

Cite this Entry

“Elusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elusive. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

elusive

adjective
elu·​sive ē-ˈlü-siv How to pronounce elusive (audio)
-ziv
1
: hard to find or capture : evasive
elusive prey
2
: hard to understand or define
an elusive idea
elusively adverb
elusiveness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on elusive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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