trompe l'oeil

noun

(ˌ)trȯmp-ˈlȯi  (ˌ)trȯmp-ˈlə-ē  trōⁿp-ˈlœi 

often attributive

1

: a style of painting in which objects are depicted with photographically realistic detail

also : the use of similar technique in interior decorating

2

: a trompe l'oeil painting or effect

3

: something that misleads or deceives the senses : illusion

Examples of trompe l'oeil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Her collaborations with surrealist artists pushed trompe l'oeil into wearable couture. — Dr. Shaheena Janjuha-Jivraj, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

His artful trompe l'oeil fruit sculptures are almost too beautiful to eat (devour them anyway). — Alisha Prakash, Travel + Leisure, 27 June 2026

There was Amy Fine Collins in a smart cardigan and a white tee with a trompe l'oeil necktie. — Nick Remsen, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2025

The ultimate trompe l'oeil, sweatpant jeans are printed to look like denim, but they're made from soft materials like cotton and fleece. — Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 21 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French trompe-l'œil, literally, deceives the eye

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for trompe l'oeil

• epicondyle
• geotextile
• nucleophile
• aisle
• bile
• chyle
• file
• guile
• heil
• isle
• kyle
• mile