Evasive
ɪˈveɪsɪv
Definitions
Avoiding giving a direct answer or response; deliberately vague or ambiguous.
ɪˈveɪsɪv
Avoiding or escaping from something, especially a question or a topic.
He was very evasive when I asked him about his plans for the weekend.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're asked a question you don't want to answer. An *evasive* answer is like dodging the question, giving a response that doesn't really address it, kind of like playing hide-and-seek with the truth!
👶 For kids: When someone is being evasive, it's like they're trying to hide from the truth, like a sneaky little fox!
More Examples
The witness gave an evasive response during the trial, avoiding the crucial question.
The company's evasive tactics made it difficult to understand their true financial situation.
How It's Used
"The politician gave an evasive answer to the reporter's question about his campaign finances."
"The suspect provided an evasive statement during the interrogation."
Idioms & expressions
be evasive of
To avoid something directly; dodge.
"He was evasive of the topic of his past mistakes."
give an evasive answer
To respond in a way that avoids the question.
"The politician always gives an evasive answer."
From French *évasif*, from *évaser* 'to evade', from Latin *ēvādere* 'to escape, avoid'.
The word *evasive* gained prominence in the 17th century, often used in legal and diplomatic contexts to describe speech or actions designed to avoid a direct confrontation or response.
Memory tip
Imagine a snake; it's *evasive* when you try to catch it, always wriggling away and avoiding capture. Just like an *evasive* answer avoids the real point.
Word Origin
"ēvādere (to escape, avoid)"