Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

illusionism

American  
[ih-loo-zhuh-niz-uhm] / ɪˈlu ʒəˌnɪz əm /

noun

  1. a technique of using pictorial methods in order to deceive the eye.

  2. Philosophy. a theory or doctrine that the material world is an illusion.


illusionism British  
/ ɪˈluːʒəˌnɪzəm /

noun

  1. philosophy the doctrine that the external world exists only in illusory sense perceptions

  2. the use of highly illusory effects in art or decoration, esp the use of perspective in painting to create an impression of three-dimensional reality

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of illusionism

First recorded in 1835–45; illusion + -ism

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The artist, who’s known for installations that combine video, sculpture and projections, has both an artistic investment in and a family connection to illusionism.

From New York Times • May 16, 2024

Graphically, its sophistication is immense, switching back and forth between flat typography and 3-D illusionism.

From Washington Post • Oct. 26, 2020

Amid the false-fronts of Paramount’s New York street movie-set, they’ve installed works loosely connected to themes of illusionism, myth-making and representation in mass entertainment.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2020

The original uniform colors had been restored, and a diorama of three-dimensional plaster figures of soldiers had been placed in front of the painting to enhance 3-D illusionism.

From New York Times • Feb. 21, 2019

But illusionism is only one vehicle for expressing an artist’s understanding of reality.

From "History of Art, Volume 1" by H.W. Janson

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "illusionism" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com