elusive

/iˈluːsɪv/adjective

Hard to catch, find, understand, or remember.

Example sentences

“The snow leopard is one of the most elusive animals in the mountains.”
“A good night's sleep has been elusive since the baby arrived.”

Applied to answers, scents, and criminals alike: anything that keeps slipping out of reach. The related verb is 'elude'.

Synonyms for elusive

slippery

Often confused with elusive

elusive vs evasive: evasive (adjective): Avoiding direct answers or unwilling to reveal information about oneself.

Related words

emailA way of sending written messages and files between computers over a network, especially the internet.eludeTo cleverly avoid or slip away from a person or thing trying to catch you.emanateTo flow or spread out from a particular source.eloquentAble to express ideas in a smooth, powerful, and convincing way, in speech or writing.embarkTo set out on something new, such as a journey or project.elicitTo draw out a reaction, answer, or feeling from someone.