elusive
word
Definition
Something or someone that is elusive is difficult to find, catch, understand, or describe.
Usage & Nuances
Used for things, people, or concepts that are hard to get, find, or define (e.g., 'an elusive concept', 'an elusive animal'). Often describes something that remains just out of reach. Formal or literary tone—rare in casual speech.
Spanish: esquivo - difícil de atrapar - difícil de definirPortuguese (BR): elusivo - difícil de encontrar - difícil de definirPortuguese (PT): esquivo - difícil de alcançar - difícil de definirChinese (Simplified): 难以捉摸的 - 难以找到的 - 难以理解的Chinese (Traditional): 難以捉摸的 - 難以找到的 - 難以理解的Hindi: पकड़ में न आने वाला - कठिन समझने योग्यArabic: مراوغ - صعب الفهم - صعب المنالBengali: ধরা ছোঁয়ার বাইরে - অধরা - পলাতক (ব্যক্তি বা বস্তু)Russian: неуловимый - труднодостижимыйJapanese: とらえどころのない - 捕まえにくいVietnamese: khó nắm bắt - khó hiểu - khó đạt đượcKorean: 잡기 어려운 - 이해하기 힘든Turkish: yakalanması zor - anlaşılması güçUrdu: پکڑ میں نہ آنے والا - مشکل سے سمجھ میں آنے والاIndonesian: sukar dipahami - sukar ditangkap - sulit dicapai
Example Sentences
The fox is an elusive animal.
basic
Happiness can be elusive for some people.
basic
He found the answer to the puzzle very elusive.
basic
That movie’s meaning is pretty elusive—I’m not sure I get it.
natural
Success has been elusive for the team this year.
natural
True understanding can sometimes be elusive, even after years of study.
natural