Standard Lemma guide

illusive

adj · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ɪˈluːsɪv/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • homophone: elusive
  • CMU ARPABET: IH2 L UW1 S IH0 V Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adj

Meaning 1

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

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Testing software completely is an illusive goal.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: illusory

Antonyms: none provided

2

adjective satellite

Meaning 2

based on or having the nature of an illusion

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • illusive hopes of finding a better job
  • Secret activities offer presidents the alluring but often illusory promise that they can achieve foreign policy goals without the bothersome debate and open decision that are staples of democracy

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: illusory

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Borrowed from Medieval Latin illūsīvus.