Elusive vs. Illusive: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on February 28, 2024
Elusive refers to something hard to catch or achieve, while Illusive means based on illusion, not real.
Key Differences
Elusive describes something difficult to find or grasp, like a fleeting memory. Illusive, in contrast, pertains to something deceptive or based on an illusion, like a mirage.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 28, 2024
An elusive goal is one that is challenging to attain, constantly evading capture. An illusive appearance, however, is misleading, giving a false impression of reality.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 28, 2024
Elusive often implies a quality of evasiveness that is not easily pinned down or defined. Illusive suggests something that is falsely perceived or imagined, lacking real substance.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 28, 2024
While elusive targets the difficulty of physical or conceptual capture, illusive emphasizes the aspect of being unreal or based on false perceptions.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 28, 2024
Elusive can describe a person who is difficult to understand or a concept hard to articulate. Illusive is used for scenarios or images that are not what they appear to be, often tricking the mind.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 28, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Context
Often used in physical or abstract challenges
Used in context of perceptions and illusions
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Implication
Implies a challenge or complexity
Suggests falseness or deception
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Feb 28, 2024
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Elusive and Illusive Definitions
Elusive
Hard to define or describe.
The concept of happiness can be quite elusive.
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Jan 17, 2024
Illusive
Based on illusion, not real.
The shadows created an illusive figure in the room.
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Jan 17, 2024
Elusive
Seldom seen or experienced.
The Northern Lights are an elusive spectacle.
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Jan 17, 2024
Illusive
Resembling an illusion.
The painting's depth was illusive, drawing viewers in.
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Jan 17, 2024
Elusive
Difficult to find or catch.
The elusive leopard was rarely seen by the villagers.
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Jan 17, 2024
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Illusive
Imaginary, not based on reality.
Her hope for a perfect world was illusive.
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Jan 17, 2024
Elusive
Skillfully evasive.
Her elusive answers frustrated the interviewers.
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Jan 17, 2024
Illusive
Deceptive or misleading.
The magician's trick was illusive and impressive.
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Jan 17, 2024
Elusive
Hard to remember or recall.
The details of that night were elusive to him.
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Jan 17, 2024
Illusive
Creating a false impression.
The mirage was an illusive oasis in the desert.
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Jan 17, 2024
Elusive
Tending to elude capture, perception, comprehension, or memory
"an invisible cabal of conspirators, each more elusive than the archterrorist [himself]" (David Kline).
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Jan 15, 2024
Elusive
Difficult to define or describe
"Failures are more finely etched in our minds than triumphs, and success is an elusive, if not mythic, goal in our demanding society" (Hugh Drummond).
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Jan 15, 2024
Illusive
Subject to or pertaining to an illusion, often used in the sense of an unrealistic expectation or an unreachable goal or outcome.
Testing software completely is an illusive goal.
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Elusive
Evading capture, comprehension or remembrance.
The elusive criminal was arrested
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Jan 15, 2024
Illusive
Deceiving by false show; deceitful; deceptive; false; illusory; unreal.
Truth from illusive falsehood to command.
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Jan 15, 2024
Illusive
Based on or having the nature of an illusion;
Illusive hopes of of finding a better job
Secret activities offer presidents the alluring but often illusory promise that they can achieve foreign policy goals without the bothersome debate and open decision that are staples of democracy
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Jan 15, 2024
Elusive
Tending to elude; using arts or deception to escape; adroitly escaping or evading; eluding the grasp; fallacious.
Elusive of the bridal day, she givesFond hopes to all, and all with hopes deceives.
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Jan 15, 2024
Elusive
Skillful at eluding capture;
A cabal of conspirators, each more elusive than the archterrorist
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Jan 15, 2024
Elusive
Be difficult to detect or grasp by the mind;
His whole attitude had undergone a subtle change
A subtle difference
That elusive thing the soul
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Jan 15, 2024
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What does elusive mean?
Elusive refers to something hard to find, catch, or understand.
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Feb 28, 2024
What is an example of something elusive?
A rare bird that is rarely seen can be described as elusive.
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Feb 28, 2024
Can a person be described as elusive?
Yes, if they are hard to understand or difficult to find or meet.
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Feb 28, 2024
Is illusive always related to visual deception?
Primarily, but it can also refer to deceptive ideas or impressions.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 28, 2024
How is illusive different from elusive?
Illusive pertains to being based on illusion or deception, whereas elusive means difficult to catch or define.
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Feb 28, 2024
Does illusive always mean something is false?
Often, but it can also mean creating a false impression without intent to deceive.
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Feb 28, 2024
Are hallucinations considered illusive?
Yes, since they are perceptions without basis in reality.
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Feb 28, 2024
Is 'elusive' used in a negative context?
Not necessarily; it can simply imply difficulty without a negative connotation.
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Feb 28, 2024
Can dreams be considered illusive?
Yes, if they create a sense of unreality or deception.
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Feb 28, 2024
Can an advertisement be illusive?
If it creates false impressions or expectations, it can be considered illusive.
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Feb 28, 2024
Are optical illusions illusive?
Yes, they create deceptive or misleading visual perceptions.
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Feb 28, 2024
Can a solution to a problem be elusive?
Yes, if it's difficult to find or formulate.
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Feb 28, 2024
Is the term elusive applicable to abstract concepts?
Yes, concepts like happiness or love can be described as elusive.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 28, 2024
What makes a goal elusive?
If it's challenging to achieve or seems to evade efforts, it's elusive.
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Feb 28, 2024
Is it correct to say 'an elusive illusion'?
Technically, yes, but it would be a rare and specific context.
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Feb 28, 2024
Is an 'illusive reality' a contradiction?
It can be seen as a paradox, indicating something that seems real but isn't.
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Feb 28, 2024
Is an illusive person deceptive?
If they give a false impression, they could be described as such.
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Feb 28, 2024
How is 'elusive' used in sports commentary?
Often to describe a player who is difficult to catch or tackle.
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Feb 28, 2024
Can memories be elusive?
Yes, especially if they are hard to recall accurately.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 28, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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