To elude means to escape from someone or avoid being caught, usually through cleverness or quickness. When a fox eludes hunters by doubling back on its trail or hiding in a burrow, it uses cunning to get away. A criminal might elude police by disguising herself or slipping through back alleys.

The word often suggests that whatever's being avoided is actively trying to catch or find you. A kid playing tag might elude their pursuer by suddenly changing direction or ducking behind a tree. A rare bird might elude wildlife photographers for years, staying hidden in dense forests despite their best efforts to find it.

Elude can also mean that something you're trying to understand or remember stays just out of reach. The solution to a tricky math problem might elude you even after several attempts. A word might elude you when you can't quite remember it, even though you know you know it. Success in a sport might elude an athlete who practices hard but hasn't yet broken through to win.

The key idea is slipping away from something or someone pursuing you, whether that's a person chasing you, an answer you're seeking, or a goal you're working toward.