elusive
gb/ɪlˈusɪv/ us/ɪlˈusɪv/
B2
Inglese
~ 9500
Accezioni
0 accezioni
adjective
B2
property
1
hard to find or achieve
Hard to find, catch, or get, even when you try.
Schema d'uso:
an elusive [goal/result/person/thing]
Errore comune:
Learners sometimes confuse "elusive" with "exclusive". "Exclusive" means something is only for a special group, while "elusive" means something is hard to find, catch, or get. Another common mistake is spelling it as "illusive"; that word relates to an illusion, not to difficulty in finding or achieving something.
Sinonimi
hard-to-find (More informal and plainly descriptive; usually for objects or information.)
|
evasive (Suggests someone is actively avoiding being caught or confronted.)
|
out of reach (Emphasizes that something seems impossible or nearly impossible to get.)
Contrari
accessible (Suggests something is easy to get, use, or reach, the opposite of being elusive.)
|
attainable (Focuses on a goal that can realistically be achieved.)
Collocazioni
elusive goal
|elusive victory
|elusive prey
|elusive criminal
|remain elusive
|prove elusive
Temi
general
|goals
|search
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- Despite weeks of searching, the rare orchid remained elusive.
- For many graduates, a stable full-time job is an elusive goal.
- A lasting peace in the region has proved elusive.
- The suspect has been elusive, moving from city to city to avoid arrest.
- True work–life balance can feel frustratingly elusive.
Esempi per chi studia
- The rare bird is very elusive and hard to see.
- For him, sleep is elusive on hot summer nights.
- A good house at a low price is elusive in this city.
- The police searched for days, but the thief was still elusive.
adjective
C1
property
2
hard to understand or define
Hard to understand or explain clearly, often because it is very complex or very small and subtle.
Schema d'uso:
an elusive [idea/meaning/quality]
Errore comune:
Learners often mix up "elusive" and "illusive". "Elusive" means hard to understand or define; "illusive" means based on an illusion, something not real. Learners also sometimes use "confusing" when they want to say that something is subtly hard to define; "elusive" is better when the problem is that the idea is too complex, vague, or delicate rather than simply badly explained.
Sinonimi
puzzling (Emphasizes that something makes you feel confused or unsure.)
|
hard-to-define (Directly highlights that it is difficult to give a clear definition.)
|
subtle (Suggests the thing is delicate or not obvious, which can make it elusive.)
Contrari
clear (Easy to understand or notice; the direct opposite of elusive in this sense.)
|
straightforward (Simple and easy to understand without confusion.)
Collocazioni
elusive concept
|elusive meaning
|elusive idea
|elusive quality
|elusive answer
Temi
thinking
|communication
|art
|core_vocabulary
|education
Esempi
- The exact meaning of the poem is deliberately elusive.
- Happiness can be an elusive idea to put into words.
- There is an elusive quality to her music that keeps listeners coming back.
- The solution seemed obvious at first, but the logic behind it remained elusive.
- He tried to describe the perfume, but its scent was somehow elusive.
Esempi per chi studia
- The main message of the film is a little elusive.
- The word has an elusive meaning that is hard to explain.
- There is an elusive feeling in the air that I cannot describe.
- The answer is simple, but the reason for it is elusive.
Grammatica
Forma base
elusive
IPA
GB/ɪlˈusɪv/
US/ɪlˈusɪv/
Sillabe e accento
elu - sive (2 sillabe)
Stress on 2nd syllable (sive)
Forme flesse
Adjective
- Base: elusive
Famiglia di parole
Core family
elude
verb C1
Related words
elusiveness
noun
elusively
adverb
Espressioni
elusive dream
1/ɪlˈusɪv dɹˈim/
fixed phrase
hope that is hard to realize
A strong hope or wish that is very hard to make real.
Esempi
- Owning their own home is still an elusive dream for many young couples.
- For him, becoming a professional musician remained an elusive dream.
elusive goal
1/ɪlˈusɪv ɡˈoʊl/
fixed phrase
goal that is hard to reach
A result or achievement that someone really wants but finds very hard to reach.
Esempi
- Winning a major title remained an elusive goal for her for many years.
- For some countries, full employment is still an elusive goal.
prove elusive
1/pɹˈuv ɪlˈusɪv/
fixed phrase
turn out hard to get
To turn out to be harder to find, catch, or get than people first expected.
Esempi
- A quick solution to the problem has proved elusive.
- For many families, affordable housing has proved elusive.
remain elusive
1/ɹɪmˈeɪn ɪlˈusɪv/
fixed phrase
continue to be hard to get
To still be hard to find, catch, or get, even after some time or effort.
Esempi
- After years of negotiation, a final agreement still remains elusive.
- Despite new leads, the cause of the illness remains elusive.