elude

[ih-lood]

verb (used with object)

eluded, eluding 

1. to avoid or escape by speed, cleverness, trickery, etc.; evade.

   to elude capture.

   Synonyms: dodge, shun

2. to escape the understanding, perception, or appreciation of.

   The answer eludes me.

elude

/ ɪˈluːd, ɪˈluːʒən /

verb

1. to escape or avoid (capture, one's pursuers, etc), esp by cunning

2. to avoid fulfilment of (a responsibility, obligation, etc); evade

3. to escape discovery, or understanding by; baffle

   the solution eluded her

Usage

Elude is sometimes wrongly used where allude is meant: he was alluding (not eluding) to his previous visit to the city

Other Word Forms

• eluder noun
• elusion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of elude¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin ēlūdere “to deceive, evade,” equivalent to ē- “from, out of” + lūdere “to play, deceive”; e- ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of elude¹

C16: from Latin ēlūdere to deceive, from lūdere to play

Synonym Study

See escape.

Example Sentences

Now, while a deal with Putin to end the war in Ukraine continues to elude the US President, Xi is getting ready to host him in Beijing.

From BBC

Trapped in underground rocks, a potential energy resource has eluded generations of British politicians.

From BBC

It was the kind of moment that has eluded the former MVP so often this year.

From Los Angeles Times

Over the last couple months, as Roberts eluded to, they had been the team on the wrong end of sloppy fundamentals.

From Los Angeles Times

Rogers was identified last week as the suspect in an Aug. 5 stabbing that killed one and critically wounded another in Cowlitz County, Wash. He’s now been eluding authorities for a week.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• baffle 
• confound 
• dodge 
• evade 
• flee 
• foil 
• frustrate 
• outrun 
• outwit 
• puzzle 
• shun 
• stall 
• stonewall 
• thwart