What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Mysterious vs Elusive - What's the difference?

mysterious | elusive | Related terms |

As adjectives the difference between mysterious and elusive

is that mysterious is of unknown origin while elusive is evading capture, comprehension or remembrance.

mysterious

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Of unknown origin.
    • He received a mysterious phone call this morning.
  • Having unknown qualities.
    • Our boss is a mysterious man who hardly ever meets with us.
  • Difficult to understand.
    • Why he left without saying goodbye is quite mysterious .
  • Deliberately evasive or enigmatic.
    • Stop being mysterious and just tell me what you want.

    Derived terms

    * mysteriously * mysteriousness

    Related terms

    * mystery

    elusive

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Evading capture, comprehension or remembrance.
    • The elusive criminal was arrested
  • * {{quote-book
    • , year=1910 , author=Jack London , title=Lost Face , chapter=6 citation , passage=Charley chased the elusive idea through all the nooks and crannies of his drowning consciousness.}}
  • Rarely seen.
  • *
  • Difficult to describe.
    • A precise definition of diarrhea is elusive (Robbin's pathology, 8th ed)

    Related terms

    * (l)