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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Costume designer Paul Tazewell, who collaborated with Thom Browne on Janelle Monáe’s optical illusion dress and designed Chappell Roan’s pink suit, benefited from online discussions. Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 12 May 2025 There's also an optical illusions section that can be fun for children who like to be perplexed. Anna Halkidis, Parents, 19 Apr. 2025 My favorite bits with him are his office decorations, frankly—the rabbit/duck optical illusion statue, showing his mutable nature, and the iceberg poster, hinting at hidden depths. Ars Technica, 25 Mar. 2025 This stunning image by the Hubble Space Telescope contains an optical illusion. Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 24 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for optical illusion

Word History

First Known Use

1763, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of optical illusion was in 1763

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Cite this Entry

“Optical illusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optical%20illusion. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

optical illusion

noun

Medical Definition

optical illusion

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

More from Merriam-Webster on optical illusion

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