C1verbformalcrimelanguage
US/ɪˈluːd/
UK/ɪˈluːd/
to escape from someone or something, or to be impossible for someone to find or understand
In context
The thief eluded the police for three weeks before he was arrested.
The exact meaning of the poem still eludes me.
Sleep eluded her all night because of the noise outside.
Words that go with elude
verb + noun
- elude captureThe gang eluded capture by crossing the border at night.
- elude the policeHe managed to elude the police for months.
- elude detectionThe virus can elude detection by the immune system.
- elude explanationWhy prices rose so fast still eludes explanation.
adverb + verb
- narrowly eludeThe fox narrowly eluded the hunters.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
The thief eluded from the police.Correct: The thief eluded the police.