# elude

> English word · Verb · IPA /ɪˈljuːd/ · frequency rank #37,904

## Definitions
1. To evade or escape from (someone or something), especially by using cunning or skill.
2. To shake off (a pursuer); to give someone the slip.
3. To escape being understandable to; to be incomprehensible to.
4. To escape someone's memory, to slip someone's mind.

## Etymology
From Latin ēlūdō (“to evade, elude”), from ē- (“out of”, short form of ex-) + lūdō (“to play; to trick”).

## Easily confused with
- **evade** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/elude-vs-evade)
- **erode** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/elude-vs-erode)
- **etude** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/elude-vs-etude)
- **exclude** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/elude-vs-exclude)
- **ele** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ele-vs-elude)
- **else** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/else-vs-elude)
- **Elie** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/elie-vs-elude)
- **elite** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/elite-vs-elude)
- **elder** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/elder-vs-elude)
- **Ellie** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ellie-vs-elude)
- **Elise** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/elise-vs-elude)
- **Elsie** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/elsie-vs-elude)

## Common misspellings (6)
`eldue`, `ellude`, `eludde`, `elued`, `eulde`, `leude`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/elude