esquivo

elusive

adjective ehs-KEE-boh Rare

Also means

unsociable

Usage Note

Esquivo describes someone or something that avoids contact or is hard to pin down — a person can be esquivo (withdrawn, stand-offish) and an animal can be esquivo (shy, hard to catch). It is related to esquivar (to dodge, to avoid). The feminine form is esquiva. A common collocation is mirada esquiva (evasive glance).

Examples

"El gato callejero era muy esquivo con los extraños."

Natural Translation

The stray cat was very elusive with strangers.

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