optical illusion

noun

plural optical illusions

: a misleading image presented to the vision

Zebras look like optical illusions to me. Which are they—black with white stripes or white with black stripes?

—Al Robinson

The sun, moon, and planets circle above the terrestrial plane in the region of the equator. Their apparent rising and setting is an optical illusion caused by atmospheric refraction …

—Ranger Rick

Examples of optical illusion in a Sentence

The closer building looks larger than the farther one, but it's just an optical illusion. The two buildings are actually the same size.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adventure seekers should make time for Xplor’s zip lines and underground cave system, while Xenses provides a playful take on nature complete with optical illusions. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Aug. 2026

Embraced by a number of celebrities since its debut, the silhouette might present a bit of an optical illusion upon first glance, appearing as if two sides of the pump are disconnected in the front. — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 31 July 2026

This Amazon pair channels that same cozy optical illusion, but costs significantly less. — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 28 July 2026

Drawing inspiration from Superliminal, Sol blends optical illusions with an uncanny, dreamlike atmosphere that turns a familiar experience into an inventive mystery. — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 23 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1763, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for optical illusion

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

Kids Definition

optical illusion

noun

: illusion sense 1

Medical Definition

optical illusion

noun

: visual perception of a real object in such a way as to misinterpret its actual nature