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elusivo

elusive

adjective eh-loo-ZEE-voh Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Personality

Origin: From Latin eludere (to evade).

Also means

evasive

Usage Note

Elusivo describes something or someone that is difficult to pin down, grasp, or define. It agrees in gender and number: elusiva, elusivi, elusive. In everyday Italian it can describe a vague answer (una risposta elusiva) or a concept that is hard to define (un concetto elusivo). It is a false cognate trap for Spanish speakers: Spanish elusivo exists but is less common.

Examples

"Il sospetto ha dato risposte elusive alla polizia."

Natural Translation

The suspect gave evasive answers to the police.

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