Elusive: meaning, definitions and examples

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elusive

 

[ษชหˆluหsษชv ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

difficult to grasp

The term 'elusive' refers to something that is difficult to find, catch, or achieve. It can describe a concept, object, or person that tends to avoid clarity or definition. Elusive entities often remain just out of reach, creating a sense of frustration or intrigue. This word is frequently used in literature and conversation to highlight challenges in understanding or identifying something.

Synonyms

evasive, fleeting, hard to pin down, slippery.

Examples of usage

  • The elusive concept of true happiness often puzzles people.
  • He was an elusive figure in the art world, rarely making public appearances.
  • Finding a perfect solution to the problem proved to be an elusive goal.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'elusivus,' which means 'to evade or escape.'
  • It entered the English language in the late 16th century, originally used to describe something difficult to attain or comprehend.

Science

  • In psychology, the concept of elusive phenomena can refer to thoughts or feelings that are hard to articulate or pin down.
  • Certain species in the animal kingdom, like the elusive snow leopard, have adapted to remain hidden in their natural habitats.

Literature

  • Famous works often include elusive characters or themes that challenge the reader's understanding, such as in the works of Virginia Woolf.
  • Modern poetry frequently explores elusive meanings, leaving much open to interpretation.

Pop Culture

  • The character of Sherlock Holmes often pursues elusive criminals, showcasing his detective skills in revealing hidden truths.
  • In films and literature, elusive figures like secret agents are popular motifs, emphasizing the thrill of the chase.

Technology

  • Elusive problems in tech can refer to bugs that are difficult to replicate or diagnose, making software development challenging.
  • Artificial intelligence aims to understand and predict human behavior, often dealing with the elusive nature of human emotions.

Translations

Translations of the word "elusive" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น elusivo

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค…เคœเฅเคžเฅ‡เคฏ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช schwierig zu fassen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ sulit dipahami

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัƒะฟะตั€ั‚ะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ nieuchwytny

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๆ‰ใˆใฉใ“ใ‚ใฎใชใ„

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท insaisissable

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ elusivo

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท ele geรงmez

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ํฌ์ฐฉํ•˜๊ธฐ ์–ด๋ ค์šด

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุบุงู…ุถ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ neuchopitelnรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ neuchopiteฤพnรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ้šพไปฅๆ‰ๆ‘ธ็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ neulovljiv

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ รณljรณs

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ าฑัั‚ะฐะฟ ะฐะปัƒา“ะฐ า›ะธั‹ะฝ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒแƒ แƒแƒกแƒแƒ™แƒ›แƒแƒ แƒ˜แƒกแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ tutmaq รงษ™tin

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ elusivo

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,573, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.