Definitions
Illusive is an adjective that means deceptive or misleading. It refers to something that appears real or achievable but is actually not.
Example
The idea of a perfect society is illusive.
Example
The promise of quick and easy weight loss is illusive.
Elusive is an adjective that means difficult to find, catch, or achieve. It refers to something that is evasive or hard to pin down.
Example
The elusive criminal managed to escape from the police.
Example
The answer to the puzzle remained elusive for hours.
Tips To Remember the Differences
Here are a few tips to easily distinguish the difference between these words while keeping in mind the description we've provided:
- To remember the difference between these two words, think of illusive as something that is illusory or deceptive, while elusive is something that is hard to capture or grasp. - You could also associate illusive with 'illusion' and elusive with 'elude' to help you remember.
Remember this!
Remember, illusive means deceptive or misleading, while elusive means difficult to find or catch.