hallucination

[ huh-loo-suh-ney-shuhn ]

noun

1. a sensory experience of something that does not exist outside the mind, caused by various physical and mental disorders, or by reaction to certain toxic substances, and usually manifested as visual or auditory images.

   Synonyms: aberration, phantasm

2. the sensation caused by a hallucinatory condition, or the object or scene visualized.
3. a false notion, belief, or impression; illusion; delusion.
4. Computers, Digital Technology. (in the field of machine learning) false information generated by a machine learning program contrary to the intent of the user and presented as if it were true and factual.

hallucination

/ həˌluːsɪˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. the alleged perception of an object when no object is present, occurring under hypnosis, in some mental disorders, etc

hallucination

1. A false perception that appears to be real, as when, for example, a man dying of thirst in a desert thinks that he sees a lake. ( See also delusion .)

Derived Forms

• halˌluciˈnational, adjective

Other Words From

• hal·lu·ci·na·tion·al hal·lu·ci·na·tive [h, uh, -, loo, -s, uh, -ney-tiv, -n, uh, -tiv], adjective
• non·hal·lu·ci·na·tion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hallucination¹

First recorded in 1640–50; from Latin hallūcinātiōn-, stem of hallūcinātiō, variant of (h)ālūcinātiō, “a wandering of the mind”; hallucinate + -ion

Synonym Study

See illusion.

Example Sentences

Typical psychotic-like experiences include perceptual distortions and hallucinations, suspicious paranoid thinking, delusions and bizarre, unusual thoughts.

From Science Daily

Under that way of thinking, color might be considered a sort of consistent hallucination we have.

From Salon

Sometimes they show that they don’t know what they don’t know, and fill in the blanks in their knowledge with fabrications — or as AI developers call them, “hallucinations.”

From Los Angeles Times

These errors are typically described by AI researchers as “hallucinations.”

From Los Angeles Times

Ever since she burst into Agatha’s murder mystery hallucination, it’s been teased that there was more to Rio than meets the eye.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• illusion
• phantom

More About Hallucination

What is a hallucination?

A hallucination is a sensory experience of something that does not actually exist and has no basis in reality. Hallucinations can be caused by mental disorders or toxic substances.

A hallucination often takes the form of visual images or noises, as in Sangeet saw a hallucination of sparkling lights.

Hallucination can also be used to refer to the sensation caused by one of these false sensory experiences, as in Roman was suffering from drug-induced hallucinations.

More generally, hallucination can be used to mean a false notion or belief, as in His idea of what life was like in Canada was nothing more than a silly hallucination.

Hallucination is similar to the words illusion and delusion, which also describe false beliefs or experiences. An illusion is a false image that is a result of a distortion or manipulation of actual things. For example, makeup can create the illusion that a person is younger than they actually are.

A delusion is a persistent, false belief that may or may not be partially based on reality, as in The athlete’s huge ego constantly made him have delusions of being unbeatable.

Example: The explorer suffered from terrifying hallucinations of ghosts and phantoms after eating the toxic mushrooms.

Where does hallucination come from?

The first records of the term hallucination come from around 1640. It ultimately comes from the Latin (h)allūcinātiō, meaning “a wandering of the mind.” Hallucinations are produced entirely by a person’s mind and are not based on anything actually happening outside of it.

Hallucinations are often caused by toxic substances, such as mushrooms, or mental disorders such as schizophrenia. Some of the most common types of hallucinations include feeling like something is crawling on your skin, hearing sounds or voices, or seeing lights or patterns.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to hallucination?

• nonhallucination (noun)
• hallucinational (adjective)
• hallucinative (adjective)
• hallucinatory (adjective)

What are some synonyms for hallucination?

• phantom
• aberration
• apparition

What are some words that share a root or word element with hallucination?

• hallucinate
• hallucinogen
• hallucinosis

What are some words that often get used in discussing hallucination?

• mental disorder
• toxic
• under the influence

What are some words hallucination may be commonly confused with?

• illusion
• delusion

How is hallucination used in real life?

Many people experience hallucinations, and they are commonly depicted in works of popular culture.

Took a hike on an empty road where, I swear, I was passed by a 1938 Rolls Royce Wraith. I can't decide if it was a hallucination, time travel, or an actual ghost.

— Meg Gardiner (@MegGardiner1) April 2, 2020

I'm actually seeing hallucinations.. Like I swear to god I just saw a talking pillow

— Rachel Levin (@rclbeauty101) May 7, 2013

Try using hallucination!

Is hallucination used correctly in the following sentence?

The sailor was deceived by the sea monster’s hallucination, which made it appear as a beautiful mermaid.