Vocabulary
Elusive: meanings and examples
Have you chased an answer that stayed just out of reach? You can choose elusive when effort keeps failing.
You meet a word for a target that stays hard to reach. You'll use the search clue, then hear its strong beat.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
elusive ih-LOO-siv
The short answer
Elusive describes a person, thing, answer, or goal that's hard to find, catch, or achieve. The clue is a target that stays out of reach after effort.
The cause of the fault remains elusive.
Why it works: Repeated tests have not revealed the cause, but another test may find it.
3 more examples
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After a long search
We still can't find the elusive answer.
You can keep looking, so the answer isn't impossible.
Not this:The answer's
easyto find on the first page. What changes: This gives no sign of a search that keeps failing. -
A difficult goal
Her dream job's still elusive.
You may still reach the goal later.
Not this:Her dream job's
impossibleto get. What changes: This says success cannot happen, which is stronger than elusive. -
A runner stays ahead
That runner's elusive, so we can't catch him.
You use this for someone who stays ahead of capture.
Not this:The spokesperson's
evasivewhen reporters ask a clear question. What changes: This points to avoiding a question, not to being difficult to catch.
Quick check
Mina checked every project folder, but the report is still missing. Which sentence fits?
A report is still missing
Answer: The report's still elusive.
Show the answer
Answer: The report's still elusive.
Checking every folder shows a difficult search, while the report may still appear.
Read the full guide
Your friend has searched every drawer for one key, but the key is still hard to find.
Hard to pin down
The problem: I thought elusive only described a person or hidden object, so I missed it with an answer or goal.
At your desk, you check three drawers for one key. The search keeps failing, so you can call the key elusive.
Hidden tells you that something is out of sight or not known. Elusive tells you that finding or reaching it remains difficult.
The key's hidden under the book.
You use elusive when each attempt leaves you without the target.
The solution remains elusive despite our work.
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The source of the leak is still elusive.
Why it works: Several inspections have not revealed what caused the leak.
-
Quiet study spaces seem elusive today.
Why it works: You may still reach this place later.
-
The runner's elusive, so we can't catch him.
Why it works: The runner stays ahead when you try to catch him.
Your turn
You checked every pocket and still can't find your bus card. Which sentence fits?
A missing bus card
Answer: The bus card's still elusive.
Show the answer
Answer: The bus card's still elusive.
Several pocket checks show that the card is hard to find, while it may still appear.
The beat in the middle
The problem: In films, I hear the word too late and miss its strongest beat.
The first sound in elusive is light. The strongest beat comes next: LOO.
-
The elusive answer still hasn't appeared.
Why it works: Listen for LOO after the first short sound.
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Sleep's elusive when your neighbors are loud.
Why it works: You can describe sleep that you can't get.
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The right word's elusive, but you'll hear it soon.
Why it works: The word fits a target you still can't reach.
Elusive or evasive?
The problem: I used elusive when someone avoided my question, but the meaning I needed was about avoiding a direct answer.
During a press interview, you ask for a clear answer twice. Use evasive when the speaker avoids the answer. Use elusive when a target keeps slipping away.
You use elusive for a target that stays out of reach.
The truth's elusive.
You use evasive when someone won't answer a clear question.
The minister's evasive.
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Not this:
The minister's elusive when she won't answer the question.Say: The minister's evasive when she won't answer the question.
That scene shows a person avoiding a direct answer. Evasive fits; elusive would point to a difficult search.
-
The spokesperson's evasive, but the truth's elusive.
Why it works: One word fits the speaker; the other fits the truth you still can't find.
Your turn
A reporter asks twice, but the speaker won't answer clearly. Which sentence fits?
A press interview
Answer: The speaker's evasive.
Show the answer
Answer: The speaker's evasive.
Avoiding a clear answer points to evasive; elusive fits a target you can't find or catch.
Before you go
Question 1 of 4
You've checked every shelf, but the library book still hasn't appeared. Which sentence fits?
Looking for a library book
Answer: The library book's proving elusive.
Show the answer
Answer: The library book's proving elusive.
Several shelf checks show a difficult search, while the book may still appear.
Question 2 of 4
Type the word you hear with the strong middle beat.
A solution stays hard to reach
Answer: The solution's still elusive after weeks of work.
Show the answer
Answer: elusive
The middle beat helps you hear the adjective in this sentence.
Question 3 of 4
A politician avoids a reporter's direct question. Which sentence fits?
A reporter asks a politician
Answer: He's evasive.
Show the answer
Answer: He's evasive.
Avoiding a direct question gives the clue for evasive, not elusive.
Question 4 of 4 · One new sentence
After months of training, the team still can't reach its goal. Which sentence fits?
A team chasing a place
Answer: The team's goal remains elusive.
Show the answer
Answer: The team's goal remains elusive.
Months of training show a goal that's still hard to achieve.
Remember this
The trap is using elusive when someone avoids a question. Say elusive with its strong middle beat, then use it for a difficult target or goal.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Elusive: meanings and examples"
What does elusive mean?
Elusive describes someone or something that is difficult to find, catch, define, or achieve. It often suggests that people have already tried without success.
After weeks of interviews, the right candidate remained elusive.
Can elusive describe people, things, and goals?
Yes. A person or animal can be elusive because they are hard to find or catch. An object, answer, or goal can be elusive because it remains hard to find or achieve.
The fox stayed elusive throughout the search.
For years, a championship remained elusive for the club.
Does elusive mean impossible?
No. Elusive means difficult to find, catch, or achieve. It does not say that success can never happen, and a later attempt may still succeed.
A cheap flight seemed elusive until Noor checked a different date.
What is the difference between elusive and evasive?
Elusive describes a target that is hard to find, catch, or achieve. Evasive describes someone or an answer that avoids being direct or clear.
The witness became evasive when the lawyer asked about the receipt.
The missing receipt proved elusive.
Where does elusive go in a sentence?
Elusive is an adjective. You can put it before a noun, or after a linking verb such as be, become, remain, or prove.
Researchers followed an elusive signal across the valley.
The reason for the delay proved elusive.
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