Definition of ILLUSION (original) (raw)
1
(2)
: something that deceives or misleads intellectually
b(1)
: perception of something objectively existing in such a way as to cause misinterpretation of its actual nature
(3)
: a pattern capable of reversible perspective
2
a(1)
: the state or fact of being intellectually deceived or misled : misapprehension
(2)
: an instance of such deception
b
obsolete : the action of deceiving
3
: a fine plain transparent bobbinet or tulle usually made of silk and used for veils, trimmings, and dresses
Illustration of illusion
- a and b are equal in length
Did you know?
Allusion and illusion may share some portion of their ancestry (both words come in part from the Latin word ludere, meaning “to play”), and sound quite similar, but they are distinct words with very different meanings. An allusion is an indirect reference, whereas an illusion is something that is unreal or incorrect. Each of the nouns has a related verb form: allude “to refer indirectly to,” and illude (not a very common word), which may mean “to delude or deceive” or “to subject to an illusion.”
Synonyms
Choose the Right Synonym for illusion
delusion, illusion, hallucination, mirage mean something that is believed to be true or real but that is actually false or unreal.
delusion implies an inability to distinguish between what is real and what only seems to be real, often as the result of a disordered state of mind.
illusion implies a false ascribing of reality based on what one sees or imagines.
hallucination implies impressions that are the product of disordered senses, as because of mental illness or drugs.
suffered from terrifying hallucinations
mirage in its extended sense applies to an illusory vision, dream, hope, or aim.
claimed a balanced budget is a mirage
Examples of illusion in a Sentence
The video game is designed to give the illusion that you are in control of an airplane. They used paint to create the illusion of metal. She says that all progress is just an illusion.
Recent Examples on the Web But according to EarthSky, a website devoted to astronomy and Earth sciences, that may partly be due to an illusion. —
Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 17 Sep. 2024 The piece is crafted from delicate glass elements that cascade downwards, creating a mesmerising illusion of poppies in full bloom. —Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes, 21 Sep. 2024 Whether ball lightning is a natural event or an illusion remains a topic of debate, but its allure as one of nature's strangest mysteries persists. —Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 19 Sep. 2024 Here, the Baily’s beads break the ring of sunlight to form the illusion of black streaks. —Samuel Sanders, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for illusion 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'illusion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin illusion-, illusio, from Latin, action of mocking, from illudere to mock at, from in- + ludere to play, mock — more at ludicrous
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b
Time Traveler
The first known use of illusion was in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near illusion
Cite this Entry
“Illusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illusion. Accessed 2 Oct. 2024.
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Last Updated: 26 Sep 2024 - Updated example sentences
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