illusion
12 synonyms and 1 antonym for illusion, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A false or misleading impression created by something that appears real.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use illusion
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
optical illusion
under the illusion
shatter the illusion
Etymology
From Old French illusion, from Latin illudere, "to mock or trick" — in- ("upon") + ludere ("to play").
Full origin of illusion →Frequently asked questions
What does “illusion” mean?
The word “illusion” means a false or misleading impression created by something that appears real. In plain terms, something that looks or feels real but isn't — a trick of perception, belief, or stagecraft.
How do you pronounce “illusion”?
“Illusion” is pronounced ih-LOOZHN ([ɪˈluː.ʒən] in IPA).
How do you use “illusion” in a sentence?
Here is “illusion” used in a sentence: “The mirrors created the illusion of a much larger room.”
What part of speech is “illusion”?
“Illusion” is a noun.
Where does the word “illusion” come from?
The word “illusion” comes from Latin. From Old French illusion, from Latin illudere, "to mock or trick" — in- ("upon") + ludere ("to play").
Is “illusion” a common word?
“Illusion” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “illusion” have?
“Illusion” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a false or misleading impression created by something that appears real.
What is the difference between an illusion and a delusion?
An illusion is a false or misleading impression of something that is really there, such as a trick of the light. A delusion is a false belief held firmly in the mind despite the evidence, so an illusion misleads the senses while a delusion misleads one's beliefs.
What is the difference between an illusion and a hallucination?
An illusion is a misinterpretation of a real external stimulus, like mistaking a coat on a door for a person. A hallucination is a perception of something that is not physically present at all, so it has no real external source.
What is the difference between an illusion and a mirage?
A mirage is a specific optical illusion caused by light bending through layers of air at different temperatures, often seen as water on a hot road. An illusion is the broader term for any misleading impression that appears real.
How is 'illusion' used in magic and entertainment?
In magic, an illusion is a trick performed to deceive an audience into perceiving something impossible. Performers who specialise in large-scale versions of these tricks are usually called illusionists.
