Which definition best describes the word elusive?

• A. Difficult to describe, find, catch, achieve, understand, or remember
• B. Related to the sense of smell
• C. Easily described and understood
• D. Provably true or false

Answer: (A)

Elusive describes something that’s hard to pin down or grasp. It covers the idea that a thing is difficult to describe, find, catch, achieve, understand, or remember. That breadth is what makes it the best fit here: a problem or concept that is elusive is one that escapes easy description or full understanding, even after effort. For example, the exact meaning of a mysterious work of art can be elusive, or a solution to a tricky puzzle can remain elusive despite extended attempts.

The other options don’t fit the sense of struggle to grasp or define. Being related to smell is a different domain, describing a sensory attribute rather than a state of being hard to pin down. Being easily described and understood is the opposite of elusive. A statement that is provably true or false relates to truth values, not to how hard it is to grasp or locate.