illusionist

noun

il·​lu·​sion·​ist i-ˈlü-zh(ə-)nist 

: a person who produces illusory effects: such as

a

: a sleight-of-hand performer or a magician

b

: one (such as an artist) whose work is marked by illusionism

illusionistic

i-ˌlü-zhə-ˈni-stik 

adjective

illusionistically

i-ˌlü-zhə-ˈni-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• magician

Examples of illusionist in a Sentence

tried to figure out how the illusionist made his assistant disappear from the stage

Recent Examples on the Web

Since its debut in 2006, the NBC reality competition series has introduced the world to a variety of jaw-dropping acts — from young singers and gifted illusionists to charismatic puppeteers and dancing dogs. —Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025

The mind reader Frances Usher and her illusionist husband, Harry, lived there; Will Rogers, a prolific entertainer, liked to ride over from his ranch in the neighboring canyon. —Dana Goodyear, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025

Two young, passionate magicians, Robert Angier (Jackman), a charismatic showman, and Alfred Borden (Bale), a gifted illusionist, are friends and partners until one fateful night when their biggest trick goes terribly wrong. —Caitlin White, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025

The famed illusionist Harry Houdini spent the last years of his life exposing mediums as phonys. —Taylor Crumpton, Time, 2 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

illusionist

noun

il·​lu·​sion·​ist i-ˈlü-zhə-nist 

: a person who produces illusions

especially : a performer of sleight of hand or a magician