How to pronounce elusive
Say it like ih-LOO-siv. Elusive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LOO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce elusive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ih
- LOO
- siv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Elusive pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- LOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- sivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of elusive
- British speakers add a light "y" sound before the "oo" (as in "tyoon" for tune).
British respelling: ih-LYOO-siv.
What does elusive mean?
- Evading capture, comprehension or remembrance.“The elusive criminal was arrested”
- Difficult to make precise.
- Rarely seen.
Where does elusive come from?
From Latin elusus, past participle of eludo (“to parry a blow, to deceive”).
Words that rhyme with elusive
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of elusive.
Questions about saying elusive
How do you pronounce elusive?
Say ih-LOO-siv. The American pronunciation is /ɪˈlusɪv/. In British English it is /ɪˈljuːsɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in elusive?
Elusive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LOO). Broken into parts: ih · LOO · siv.
Is elusive pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. British speakers add a light "y" sound before the "oo" (as in "tyoon" for tune). The British form is /ɪˈljuːsɪv/ (ih-LYOO-siv).