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View synonyms for

illusion

[ ih-loo-zhuhn ]

noun

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

    Synonyms: , ,

  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

/ ɪˈːə /

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
“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
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Derived Forms

  • ˈܲDzԲ, adjective
  • ˈܲDzԱ, adjective
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Other Word Forms

  • ·sDzԱ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of illusion1

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English from Latin ūō- (stem of ūō ) “irony, mocking,” equivalent to ū(ܲ), past participle of ū “to mock, ridicule” ( il- il- 1 + ū- play ( ludicrous ) + -tus past participle suffix) + -ō- -ion
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Word History and Origins

Origin of illusion1

C14: from Latin ūō deceit, from ū; see illude
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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.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

She admitted that while she was "under no illusions" that some companies "simply either don't get it or don't want to", the Codes were UK law.

From

Instead, SB 31 and HB 44 only offer the illusion that the Texas legislature is doing something to address concerns and recognize the myriad difficulties and complications people can experience while pregnant, she said.

From

"But he's under no illusions how difficult that is - we have to prove over time we've changed and can be trusted again."

From

Botox is now injected behind the ears to tilt them forward, creating the illusion of a smaller, daintier face.

From

A majority of the “Harry Potter” illusions are executed by actors, who usually don’t have experience with magic.

From

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