illusion

[ ih-loo-zhuhn ]

noun

1. something that deceives by producing a false or misleading impression of reality.

   Synonyms: chimera, fantasy, aberration

2. the state or condition of being deceived; misapprehension.
3. an instance of being deceived.
4. Psychology. a perception, as of visual stimuli optical illusion, that represents what is perceived in a way different from the way it is in reality.
5. a very thin, delicate tulle of silk or nylon having a cobwebbed appearance, for trimmings, veilings, and the like.
6. Obsolete. the act of deceiving; deception; delusion.

illusion

/ ɪˈluːʒən /

noun

1. a false appearance or deceptive impression of reality

   the mirror gives an illusion of depth

2. a false or misleading perception or belief; delusion

   he has the illusion that he is really clever

3. psychol a perception that is not true to reality, having been altered subjectively in some way in the mind of the perceiver See also hallucination
4. a very fine gauze or tulle used for trimmings, veils, etc

Derived Forms

• ilˈlusionary, adjective
• ilˈlusioned, adjective

Other Words From

• il·lusioned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of illusion¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English from Latin illūsiōn- (stem of illūsiō ) “irony, mocking,” equivalent to illūs(us), past participle of illūdere “to mock, ridicule” ( il- il- ¹ + lūd- play ( ludicrous ) + -tus past participle suffix) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of illusion¹

C14: from Latin illūsiō deceit, from illūdere; see illude

Synonym Study

illusion, hallucination, delusion refer to false perceptions or ideas. An illusion is a false mental image produced by misinterpretation of things that actually exist: A mirage is an illusion produced by reflection of light against the sky. A hallucination is a perception of a thing or quality that has no physical counterpart: Under the influence of LSD, Terry had hallucinations that the living-room floor was rippling. A delusion is a persistent false belief: A paranoiac has delusions of persecution.

Example Sentences

The goal was to get an audience member to buy the illusion that U2 is onstage.

From Los Angeles Times

Women will keep on doing the work of combat jobs, but will be denied the titles, honors and rewards of doing so, just to prop up the illusion that only men have the toughness to handle it.

From Salon

To combat the onslaught, the site’s Community Notes feature acts as the law—but it’s an illusion of control.

From Slate

Memory prompts provide the illusion of memory by reminding us of a key event, while simultaneously giving us a shortcut to forgetting most of what surrounded it.

From Slate

Maybe we can even start to throw out the idea that any “cool” factor is an illusion.

From Slate

Related Words

• confusion
• deception
• delusion
• fantasy
• hallucination
• image
• misconception
• myth
• pipe dream
• semblance