Elusive usage

The meaning of "elusive" is "difficult to remember or understand."

So if there are memories from one's childhood that one is not able to remember or only vaguely remembers, can they be used in this sense?
" I wish could remember those elusive memories"

And ,

If we are to talk about heaven and hell, the universe, dark matter, and so on, can we say that stuff is also elusive? since it's hard to describe or understand?

arcanegem said:

So if there are memories from one's childhood that one is not able to remember or only vaguely remembers, can they be used in this sense?
" I wish could remember those elusive memories"

Yes, elusive can be used in this way.

arcanegem said:

If we are to talk about heaven and hell, the universe, dark matter, and so on, can we say that stuff is also elusive? since it's hard to describe or understand?

These can all be described as “elusive concepts.”

arcanegem said:

"I wish could remember those elusive memories"

I can't remember ever having seen "to remember memories" as a collocation.

"The memories remain elusive and I wish I could recall them more clearly."

PaulQ said:

I can't remember ever having seen "to remember memories" as a collocation.

"The memories remain elusive and I wish I could recall them more clearly."

“Recall” is more idiomatic for me, too, but Ludwig lists some collocations for “remember memories” being used in a similar way. remember memories | English examples in context | Ludwig

I don’t find elusive particularly idiomatic in the OP sentence, but PaulQ’s suggestion in #3 is good. Neither do I see it as naturally relating to the sort of subjects listed, which I’d be more inclined to describe as esoteric.

A useful list of examples can be found here: