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

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

Roads officials said an "optical illusion appeared to have been created when the footway was extended next to the cycle lane".

From BBC

They had an idea to incorporate a 3D illusion and trompe l’oeil effects into a Kobe mural they were planning, and since optical illusion murals are my specialty they reached out to me.

From Los Angeles Times

The last sequence is an astonishing optical illusion to behold.

From Los Angeles Times