elude

verb

USi-LOOD/ɪˈlud/i-LYOOD/ɪˈljuːd/

Formseludes, eluding, eluded

Often confused with allude

3 meanings of elude

1
verbtransitive
To get away from someone or something, often by being clever or quick.
The fox eluded the dogs by running through the creek.
The thief managed to elude the police for three days.
Similarevade, escape, avoid, dodge
Note
2
verbtransitive
To be too hard for someone to understand.
The rules of cricket still elude me.
The meaning of the poem eluded most of the students.
Similarescape, baffle
Note
3
verbtransitive
To be something a person cannot remember, even though they try.
Names often elude me when I'm tired.
The title of that song has eluded me all day.
Similarescape

Practice

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Origin

It comes from a Latin word meaning "to evade", made from "out of" and "to play, to trick".