Part of Speech

Verb

Pronunciation

/ɪˈluːd/

Definitions

1. To escape or avoid, especially by being skillful, cunning, or elusive.

2. To fail to be understood or grasped; to evade comprehension.

3. To evade capture, recognition, or notice.

Usage Examples

1. "The thief managed to elude the police for several days."

2. "The meaning of the poem seemed to elude her, no matter how many times she read it."

Etymology

From the Latin word "eludere," meaning "to play down, deceive," from "ex-" (out) + "ludere" (to play). The word entered English in the early 17th century.

Synonyms

• Avoid
• Escape
• Evade
• Dodge
• Shun

Antonyms

• Confront
• Face
• Encounter
• Meet
• Catch

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

The pronunciation of 'elude' remains fairly consistent across English-speaking regions, though some variations in stress may occur, with a slight emphasis on the second syllable in some accents.

Historical Usage

Historically, 'elude' has been used in English since the late 16th century, originally meaning to "play or sport with" or "to mock," and later taking on its modern meanings of escape or avoidance.

Cultural Nuances

In modern usage, 'elude' often carries a connotation of escaping skillfully or by deception, and is frequently used in both legal and informal contexts to describe evading capture or responsibility.

More Information

The word 'elude' suggests more than mere avoidance; it implies a calculated, sometimes elusive escape or avoidance. While its primary use is to describe physical escape, it is often used metaphorically to describe mental or emotional situations where understanding or insight remains out of reach. The term often connotes a level of skill or cunning, such as when someone 'eludes' capture or when knowledge 'eludes' someone. This word is especially common in literature and formal writing to express the idea of evading or slipping away from something intangible, such as the truth, the law, or success.