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noun

hallucination

huh-loo-sih-NAY-shuhn

Hallucination (noun) means a false perception of something that isn't really there, often caused by illness, drugs, or extreme stress. Example: “The patient reported vivid hallucinations during the night.”

noun
1
A false perception of something that isn't really there, often caused by illness, drugs, or extreme stress.
"The patient reported vivid hallucinations during the night."
"Sleep deprivation can trigger mild hallucinations."
2
A confidently stated but false piece of information generated by an AI system.
"The report contained an AI hallucination — a fake statistic with no real source."

How to use hallucination

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomething perceived — or, for AI, generated — that isn't actually real or true.

Common pairings
have a hallucination AI hallucination

Word forms

hallucinations plural

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The patient reported vivid _____ during the night.

Etymology

From the verb hallucinate, ultimately from Latin hallucinatus.

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for hallucination

See all rhymes for hallucination →

Frequently asked questions

What does “hallucination” mean?

The word “hallucination” means a false perception of something that isn't really there, often caused by illness, drugs, or extreme stress. In plain terms, something perceived — or, for AI, generated — that isn't actually real or true.

How do you pronounce “hallucination”?

“Hallucination” is pronounced huh-loo-sih-NAY-shuhn (/həˌluːsɪˈneɪʃən/ in IPA).

How do you use “hallucination” in a sentence?

Here is “hallucination” used in a sentence: “The patient reported vivid hallucinations during the night.”

What part of speech is “hallucination”?

“Hallucination” is a noun.

Where does the word “hallucination” come from?

The word “hallucination” comes from Latin. From the verb hallucinate, ultimately from Latin hallucinatus.

How many meanings does “hallucination” have?

“Hallucination” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a false perception of something that isn't really there, often caused by illness, drugs, or extreme stress.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial