What does evasive mean?

The word "evasive" is an adjective that describes a person acting or speaking in a manner aimed at avoiding something, such as evading the truth or evading capture by the police. It may also describe avoidance tactics using objects, such as flying a warplane in an evasive manner.

The English word "evasive" is from the Latin root "evas," a derivative of the verb "evadere." People who do things in an evasive manner often provide responses indirectly to avoid revealing information. "Vague," "elusive," "deceptive," "misleading" and "cagey" are words with meanings similar to "evasive." "Straightforward," "honest," "truthful" and "definite" have meanings opposite to that of "evasive."