elude
elude Lexical Profile
elude Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To evade or escape from a pursuer, danger, or obstacle, typically in a skillful or cunning way.
"The nimble fox managed to elude the hounds by darting into the dense undergrowth."
To fail to be grasped, remembered, or achieved by someone (of an idea, fact, or goal).
"The exact name of the author continued to elude her throughout the entire conversation."
Word Nuance & Usage
Frequently confused with the homophone 'allude'. 'Elude' means to evade capture or fail to be understood (used transitively, e.g., "the answer eluded him"), whereas 'allude' means to make an indirect reference and is followed by 'to' (e.g., "she alluded to the report").
• Rhymes for elude
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the mid-16th century from Latin 'eludere', meaning 'to mock' or 'to parry a blow at play', formed from 'ex-' (out, away) and 'ludere' (to play).