illusive

I1L1L1U1S1I1V4E1
/ɪˈluːsɪv/

adjective

Subject to or pertaining to an illusion, often used in the sense of an unrealistic expectation or an unreachable goal or outcome.

“Testing software completely is an illusive goal.”

Similar
illusoryunreal
OriginMedieval Latin illūsīvus →
UncommonScrabble 11
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Meanings

adjectiveillusive (comparative more illusive, superlative most illusive)

comparative more illusive · superlative most illusive

  1. Subject to or pertaining to an illusion, often used in the sense of an unrealistic expectation or an unreachable goal or outcome.

    Testing software completely is an illusive goal.

    1 more example

    […] he could not catch the illusive thing that had sadly perplexed as well as elevated his spirit.

    1912 January, Zane Grey, chapter 8, in Riders of the Purple Sage […], New York, N.Y.; London: Harper & Brothers Publishers, →OCLC

    Synonyms: illusory

Synonyms & antonyms

adjectiveSubject to or pertaining to an illusion, often used in the sense of an unrealistic expectation or an unreachable goal or outcome.

Similar
illusory

More synonyms by meaning

adjectivebased on or having the nature of an illusion

Similar
illusoryunreal
Also see
illusory

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

  1. Medieval Latinillūsīvus
  2. Englishillusive

Borrowed from Medieval Latin illūsīvus.

More words from Medieval Latin

Full word history & related roots →

Rhymes & wordplay

Sounds the same

elusive
Cite this entry
APA

illusive. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/illusive

MLA

“illusive.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/illusive. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “illusive,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/illusive.

Source: illusive on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.