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
Al RobinsonThe 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
Ranger RickExamples 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.
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Horse Walking In Snow Creates Optical Illusion By Soo Kim
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A video showing an unexpected optical illusion captured in a parking lot in Florida has gone viral on TikTok.
—Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
Include sculptural elements Remember the famous optical illusion Rubin’s vase?
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Jan. 2025
This stunning image by the Hubble Space Telescope contains an optical illusion.
—Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 24 Mar. 2025
Day and night aren't exactly 12 hours on the day of the equinox because the Earth's atmosphere refracts, or bends, light in an optical illusion that brings more daylight than there really is.
—Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2025
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Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
Include sculptural elements Remember the famous optical illusion Rubin’s vase?
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Jan. 2025
This stunning image by the Hubble Space Telescope contains an optical illusion.
—Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 24 Mar. 2025
Day and night aren't exactly 12 hours on the day of the equinox because the Earth's atmosphere refracts, or bends, light in an optical illusion that brings more daylight than there really is.
—Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for optical illusion
Cite this Entry
“Optical illusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optical%20illusion. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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