1 illusive | Definition of illusive
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

illusive

adjective
il·​lu·​sive | \ i-ˈlü-siv How to pronounce illusive (audio) , -ziv\

Definition of illusive

: based on or producing illusion : illusory, deceptive … that illusive shimmer of hot surface air …— Frank Norris Some who have lain flat on the ice for a long time, looking down through the illusive medium … have seen … the undoubted source of the Styx …— Henry David Thoreau It had been like the stage gauze which gives an illusive air of reality to the painted scene behind it, yet proves it, after all, to be no more than a painted scene.— Edith Wharton
Other Words from illusive More Example Sentences Learn More about illusive

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from illusive

illusively adverb
… he seemed to occupy his own still pocket of space, putting Rojas in mind of the lionfish that floated in the waters of the Carribean—so illusively delicate in appearance, so serenely poisonous. — Tom Clancy and Martin H. Greenberg
illusiveness noun
I was … still under the impression that no one knew I was gay. They all knew and indulged me my illusions of illusiveness. — Massoud Hayoun

Examples of illusive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 The black Plymouth hummed along the hot desert road with four good tires and much pavement to conquer, passing shepherds herding sheep towards an illusive oasis. — Birmingham Magazine, AL.com, "Remember what's important during good times and bad," 19 May 2017 Years of investment manias and financial machinations that powered the job market have lost potency, exposing longstanding downsides of trade that had previously been masked by illusive prosperity. — Peter S. Goodman, New York Times, "More Wealth, More Jobs, but Not for Everyone: What Fuels the Backlash on Trade," 28 Sep. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'illusive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of illusive

1606, in the meaning defined above

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on illusive

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with illusive

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!