What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
elusive
Example
The elusive criminal managed to escape the police yet again. [elusive: adjective]
Example
The meaning of the poem remained elusive to the students, even after multiple readings. [elusive: adjective]
ambiguous
Example
The politician's statement was ambiguous and left many people confused about his stance on the issue. [ambiguous: adjective]
Example
The instructions for the assignment were ambiguous and caused some students to misunderstand what was expected of them. [ambiguous: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ambiguous is more commonly used than elusive in everyday language. Ambiguous is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while elusive is less common and often used in specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between elusive and ambiguous?
Both elusive and ambiguous can be used in formal and informal contexts, but ambiguous is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of situations.
