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illusion

noun
il·​lu·​sion | \ i-ˈlü-zhən How to pronounce illusion (audio) \
plural illusions

Definition of illusion

1a(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
(2) : hallucination sense 1
(3) : a pattern capable of reversible perspective
2a(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

Illustration of illusion

Illustration of illusion

illusion 1a(1): a and b are equal in length

Other Words from illusion Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Allusion and Illusion Example Sentences Learn More about illusion

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Other Words from illusion

illusional \ i-​ˈlüzh-​nəl How to pronounce illusional (audio) , -​ˈlü-​zhə-​nᵊl \ adjective

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

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.”

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.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Much of that appears to be an illusion, and there is little evidence that Mr. Epstein is a billionaire. — David Lazarus, latimes.com, "California Inc.: Black market for wildlife thrives on Facebook, Instagram," 15 July 2019 The secrets behind some of Zhu's prized illusions, such as Chinese linking rings, where solid metal rings appear to link and unlink, have been exposed online. — Eduardo Baptista, CNN, "The traditional Chinese magicians calling for greater censorship of their ancient tricks," 11 July 2019 The consequences of the illusion, however, are real. — Samantha Boardman, Marie Claire, "You Aren't the Only One with Duck Syndrome," 30 Apr. 2019 Few migrants had any illusions that their attackers would face justice, said Ni Mhurchu, who worked in four detention centers in Libya before her time at sea. — Lori Hinnant, The Seattle Times, "Study: Sexual torture widespread for migrants seeking Europe," 25 Mar. 2019 But then, that’s exactly what Casaza is selling: an illusion, in real life. Want more stories from The Goods by Vox? — Rachel Sugar, Vox, "The Property Brothers’ empire, explained," 14 Nov. 2018 For 17-year-old Fort Myers, Florida, high school senior Alexis Queen, safety at school is an illusion, especially since the mass shooting in Parkland, Florida, that left 17 people dead. — Anthony Gerace, Teen Vogue, "Betsy DeVos Says She Wants to Keep Schools Safe and Equitable. Her Policies Tell a Different Story," 28 Aug. 2018 Plenty of homes give the illusion of floating, but this cubed building in New South Wales, Australia, is in fact hovering over a drop off. — Liz Stinson, Curbed, "Solar-powered modern studio appears to float in midair," 25 June 2018 Young and Strange are partial to large-scale illusions, with arena-rock lighting and dazzling pyrotechnics. — Shaun Brady, Philly.com, "Woke magic at the Merriam: 'Girls don't have to think their only role is to get in the box and get sawn in half.'," 19 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'illusion.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of illusion

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

History and Etymology for illusion

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

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More Definitions for illusion

illusion

noun
How to pronounce illusion (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of illusion

: something that looks or seems different from what it is : something that is false or not real but that seems to be true or real
: an incorrect idea : an idea that is based on something that is not true

See the full definition for illusion in the English Language Learners Dictionary

illusion

noun
il·​lu·​sion | \ i-ˈlü-zhən How to pronounce illusion (audio) \

Kids Definition of illusion

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play

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