From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishelusivee‧lu‧sive /ɪˈluːsɪv/ ●○○ adjective 1 FINDan elusive person or animal is difficult to find or not often seen She managed to get an interview with that elusive man.2 DIFFICULTan elusive result is difficult to achieve She enjoys a firm reputation in this country but wider international success has been elusive.3 FINDan elusive idea or quality is difficult to describe or understand For me, the poem has an elusive quality. —elusively adverb —elusiveness noun [uncountable]
Examples from the Corpus
elusive• A cure for the disease has proven to be elusive.• The nature of things was to be elusive.• Even a relatively modest addition to the liberal framework, universal health coverage, remains elusive.• I can find the Big Dipper, but the North Star can be elusive.• The fox is a sly elusive animal.• The gray fox is a very shy elusive creature.• Most students find that the first job does eventually come along, and even that elusive Equity card is attainable.• the elusive key to corporate success• We repeatedly tried to contact the manager, an elusive man who was never in his office.• The team came within one game of the elusive state championship. 