illusion

noun

il·​lu·​sion i-ˈlü-zhən How to pronounce illusion (audio)
plural illusions
1
a(1)
: a misleading image presented to the vision : optical illusion
(2)
: something that deceives or misleads intellectually
b(1)
: perception of something objectively existing in such a way as to cause misinterpretation of its actual nature
(3)
: a pattern capable of reversible perspective
2
a(1)
: the state or fact of being intellectually deceived or misled : misapprehension
(2)
: an instance of such deception
b
obsolete : the action of deceiving
3
: a fine plain transparent bobbinet or tulle usually made of silk and used for veils, trimmings, and dresses
illusional adjective

Illustration of illusion

Illustration of illusion
  • a and b are equal in length

Did you know?

Allusion and Illusion

Allusion and illusion may share some portion of their ancestry (both words come in part from the Latin word ludere, meaning “to play”), and sound quite similar, but they are distinct words with very different meanings. An allusion is an indirect reference, whereas an illusion is something that is unreal or incorrect. Each of the nouns has a related verb form: allude “to refer indirectly to,” and illude (not a very common word), which may mean “to delude or deceive” or “to subject to an illusion.”

Choose the Right Synonym for illusion

delusion, illusion, hallucination, mirage mean something that is believed to be true or real but that is actually false or unreal.

delusion implies an inability to distinguish between what is real and what only seems to be real, often as the result of a disordered state of mind.

delusions of persecution

illusion implies a false ascribing of reality based on what one sees or imagines.

an illusion of safety

hallucination implies impressions that are the product of disordered senses, as because of mental illness or drugs.

suffered from terrifying hallucinations

mirage in its extended sense applies to an illusory vision, dream, hope, or aim.

claimed a balanced budget is a mirage

Examples of illusion in a Sentence

The video game is designed to give the illusion that you are in control of an airplane. They used paint to create the illusion of metal. She says that all progress is just an illusion.
Recent Examples on the Web An 18-year-old fan and an A-lister enjoying the same latte creates the illusion of access to a version of Los Angeles reserved for the rich and famous. Lina Abascal, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2024 The gown was draped across her body, creating the illusion of a wrap dress that cinched at her hip with more fabric than seen by her bust or legs. Stacy Lambe, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2024 Human error when operating the game clock creates the illusion of a field goal attempt leaving the hand before time expires. Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Mar. 2024 The retina, perhaps unfortunately, is not sensitive to pain, giving the illusion that everything’s okay and that damage isn’t being done. George Dvorsky / Gizmodo, Quartz, 4 Mar. 2024 The great director’s preference for the Hollywood city of lights over the French one expresses a common enough affinity for illusion over reality, but the studio in question was not chosen for alliteration alone. Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Feb. 2024 In Protest Trump Defeats Haley In Michigan Republican Primary—On Track To Clinch Nomination Next Month Americans have been starting businesses at record rates since the pandemic hit, but few have illusions of running corporate empires. Zenger News, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 The actor let lengths fall down her back, shorter layers catching on shoulders to create the briefest illusion of a flippy lob. Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 25 Feb. 2024 The mere illusion of being 200 miles away seemed to revive her ability to have a conversation with me. Cheryl Maguire, Washington Post, 24 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'illusion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin illusion-, illusio, from Latin, action of mocking, from illudere to mock at, from in- + ludere to play, mock — more at ludicrous

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Time Traveler
The first known use of illusion was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near illusion

Cite this Entry

“Illusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illusion. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

illusion

noun
il·​lu·​sion il-ˈü-zhən How to pronounce illusion (audio)
1
: a misleading image presented to the eye
2
: the state or fact of being led to accept as true something unreal or imagined
3
: a mistaken idea

Medical Definition

illusion

noun
il·​lu·​sion il-ˈü-zhən How to pronounce illusion (audio)
1
: a misleading image presented as a visual stimulus
2
a
: perception of something objectively existing in such a way as to cause misinterpretation of its actual nature
especially : optical illusion compare delusion sense 2
c
: a pattern capable of reversible perspective
illusional adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on illusion

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