illusion

noun

il·​lu·​sion i-ˈlü-zhən 

plural illusions

1

a(1)

: a misleading image presented to the vision : optical illusion

(2)

: something that deceives or misleads intellectually

b(1)

: perception of something objectively existing in such a way as to cause misinterpretation of its actual nature

(2)

: hallucination sense 1

(3)

: a pattern capable of reversible perspective

2

a(1)

: the state or fact of being intellectually deceived or misled : misapprehension

(2)

: an instance of such deception

b

obsolete : the action of deceiving

3

: a fine plain transparent bobbinet or tulle usually made of silk and used for veils, trimmings, and dresses

illusional

i-ˈlü-zh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Illustration of illusion

• a and b are equal in length

Did you know?

Allusion and Illusion

Allusion and illusion may share some portion of their ancestry (both words come in part from the Latin word ludere, meaning “to play”), and sound quite similar, but they are distinct words with very different meanings. An allusion is an indirect reference, whereas an illusion is something that is unreal or incorrect. Each of the nouns has a related verb form: allude “to refer indirectly to,” and illude (not a very common word), which may mean “to delude or deceive” or “to subject to an illusion.”

Synonyms

• chimera
• conceit
• daydream
• delusion
• dream
• fancy
• fantasy
• phantasy
• figment
• hallucination
• nonentity
• phantasm
• fantasm
• pipe dream
• unreality
• vision

Choose the Right Synonym for illusion

delusion, illusion, hallucination, mirage mean something that is believed to be true or real but that is actually false or unreal.

delusion implies an inability to distinguish between what is real and what only seems to be real, often as the result of a disordered state of mind.

delusions of persecution

illusion implies a false ascribing of reality based on what one sees or imagines.

an illusion of safety

hallucination implies impressions that are the product of disordered senses, as because of mental illness or drugs.

suffered from terrifying hallucinations

mirage in its extended sense applies to an illusory vision, dream, hope, or aim.

claimed a balanced budget is a mirage

Examples of illusion in a Sentence

The video game is designed to give the illusion that you are in control of an airplane.

They used paint to create the illusion of metal.

She says that all progress is just an illusion.

Recent Examples on the Web

Agencies encourage the illusion of such bonds while controlling nearly every aspect of the idols’ real lives. —Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2025

The show uses dual-reality technology, a technique derived from the world of mentalism, to support the illusion of real-time interaction with a pre-recorded program. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 14 May 2025

Produced by the band and inspired by the 2017 thriller First Reformed, the LP finds La Dispute grappling with a looming apocalypse, the detriments of technological evolutions, and the illusion of self-control. —Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 13 May 2025

The two sides continued to fire at each other for hours after the cease-fire had taken effect, and no one should be under any illusion that these adversaries will resolve their fundamental clash over Kashmir anytime soon. —Lisa Curtis, Foreign Affairs, 13 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin illusion-, illusio, from Latin, action of mocking, from illudere to mock at, from in- + ludere to play, mock — more at ludicrous

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Phrases Containing illusion

• optical illusion
• under the illusion

Rhymes for illusion

• allusion
• collusion
• conclusion
• confusion
• contusion
• delusion
• diffusion
• effusion
• exclusion
• extrusion
• inclusion
• infusion

Kids Definition

illusion

noun

il·​lu·​sion il-ˈü-zhən 

1

: a misleading image presented to the eye

2

: the state or fact of being led to accept as true something unreal or imagined

3

: a mistaken idea

Medical Definition

illusion

noun

il·​lu·​sion il-ˈü-zhən 

1

: a misleading image presented as a visual stimulus

2

a

: perception of something objectively existing in such a way as to cause misinterpretation of its actual nature

especially : optical illusion compare delusion sense 2

b

: hallucination sense 1

c

: a pattern capable of reversible perspective

illusional

-ˈüzh-nəl, -ən-ᵊl 

adjective