verb
delude
dih-LOOD
Delude (verb) means to make someone believe something untrue, often about themselves or their situation. Example: “He deluded himself into thinking the business would turn a profit.”
verb
1
To make someone believe something untrue, often about themselves or their situation.
"He deluded himself into thinking the business would turn a profit."
"Don't delude yourself — the deadline isn't moving."
How to use delude
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo trick someone, often yourself, into believing something false.
Common mistake
Usually reflexive in modern use — people "delude themselves" more often than they delude others.
Common pairings
delude yourself
delude the public
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- deludes
- Past tense
- deluded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He _____ himself into thinking the business would turn a profit.
Etymology
From Latin deludere ("to mock, deceive"), from de- plus ludere ("to play or mock") — the same root behind "ludicrous".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for delude
See all rhymes for delude →Frequently asked questions
What does “delude” mean?
The word “delude” means to make someone believe something untrue, often about themselves or their situation. In plain terms, to trick someone, often yourself, into believing something false.
How do you pronounce “delude”?
“Delude” is pronounced dih-LOOD (/dɪˈluːd/ in IPA).
How do you use “delude” in a sentence?
Here is “delude” used in a sentence: “He deluded himself into thinking the business would turn a profit.”
What part of speech is “delude”?
“Delude” is a verb.
Where does the word “delude” come from?
The word “delude” comes from Latin. From Latin deludere ("to mock, deceive"), from de- plus ludere ("to play or mock") — the same root behind "ludicrous".
