illusion

[ih-loo-zhuhn]

noun

1. something that deceives by producing a false or misleading impression of reality.

   Synonyms: chimera, fantasy, aberration

2. the state or condition of being deceived; misapprehension.

3. an instance of being deceived.

4. Psychology.,  a perception, as of visual stimuli optical illusion, that represents what is perceived in a way different from the way it is in reality.

5. a very thin, delicate tulle of silk or nylon having a cobwebbed appearance, for trimmings, veilings, and the like.

6. Obsolete.,  the act of deceiving; deception; delusion.

illusion

/ ɪˈluːʒən /

noun

1. a false appearance or deceptive impression of reality

   the mirror gives an illusion of depth

2. a false or misleading perception or belief; delusion

   he has the illusion that he is really clever

3. psychol a perception that is not true to reality, having been altered subjectively in some way in the mind of the perceiver See also hallucination

4. a very fine gauze or tulle used for trimmings, veils, etc

Other Word Forms

• illusioned adjective
• illusionary adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of illusion¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English from Latin illūsiōn- (stem of illūsiō ) “irony, mocking,” equivalent to illūs(us), past participle of illūdere “to mock, ridicule” ( il- il- ¹ + lūd- play ( ludicrous ) + -tus past participle suffix) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of illusion¹

C14: from Latin illūsiō deceit, from illūdere; see _illude

Synonym Study

illusion, hallucination, delusion refer to false perceptions or ideas. An illusion is a false mental image produced by misinterpretation of things that actually exist: A mirage is an illusion produced by reflection of light against the sky. A hallucination is a perception of a thing or quality that has no physical counterpart: Under the influence of LSD, Terry had hallucinations that the living-room floor was rippling. A delusion is a persistent false belief: A paranoiac has delusions of persecution.

Example Sentences

We have to grieve what’s been lost — relationships, trust, the illusion of safety — in order to understand what we still have and begin to rebuild anew.

Read more on Salon

We are five games unbeaten and while I am under not any illusions that we are going to win the league, we have definitely turned a corner.

Read more on BBC

Tandy was under no illusion of what lay ahead on Saturday.

Read more on Barron's

"I know perfectionism is an illusion, but I am always trying to chase it," admits 25-year-old Aswan.

Read more on BBC

“Retribution is seductive like that, promising a clean line between good and evil. But it’s an illusion,” she eventually concludes in her book.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• confusion 
• deception 
• delusion 
• fantasy 
• hallucination 
• image 
• misconception 
• myth 
• pipe dream 
• semblance