optical illusion

American  

noun

1. illusion4

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optical illusion British  

noun

1. an object causing a false visual impression

2. an instance of deception by such an object

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Etymology

Origin of optical illusion

First recorded in 1785–95

Example Sentences

It turns out that the abundant free cash flow that Meta reports to investors is something of an optical illusion.

From The Wall Street Journal

Pilots often experience an optical illusion of a passing object that can make it appear to be traveling at great speed even if it is barely moving, officials have said.

From The Wall Street Journal

It was just an optical illusion, just because I was running, just because I’m worried about whoever made that cry or whimper.

From Literature

Doing something your brain tells you is structurally impossible was like inhabiting an optical illusion and we all laughed as we scaled the multi-tiered falls with the occasional assistance of a tethered rope.

From The Wall Street Journal

The stairs curve and stretch toward an unseen bottom floor, so tall and disorienting that it looks like an optical illusion.

From Literature