noun
Uncommon
delusion
dih-LOOZHN
Delusion (noun) means a firmly held false belief, maintained even against clear evidence. Example: “His delusion that he was being watched grew worse over the years.”
noun
1
A firmly held false belief, maintained even against clear evidence.
"His delusion that he was being watched grew worse over the years."
"The therapist worked to gently challenge her delusions."
How to use delusion
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA false belief someone holds onto tightly, even when the facts say otherwise.
Common mistake
In clinical use, a delusion is a specific symptom of certain mental health conditions, not just any mistaken idea.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
delusions of grandeur
suffer from delusions
under the delusion that
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Word forms
- Plural
- delusions
Fill the gap
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His _____ that he was being watched grew worse over the years.
Etymology
From Latin delusio, from deludere ("to deceive").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for delusion
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for delusion →
Frequently asked questions
What does “delusion” mean?
The word “delusion” means a firmly held false belief, maintained even against clear evidence. In plain terms, a false belief someone holds onto tightly, even when the facts say otherwise.
How do you pronounce “delusion”?
“Delusion” is pronounced dih-LOOZHN (/dɪˈl(j)uːʒ(ə)n/ in IPA).
How do you use “delusion” in a sentence?
Here is “delusion” used in a sentence: “His delusion that he was being watched grew worse over the years.”
What part of speech is “delusion”?
“Delusion” is a noun.
Where does the word “delusion” come from?
The word “delusion” comes from Latin. From Latin delusio, from deludere ("to deceive").
Is “delusion” a common word?
“Delusion” is an uncommon word in modern English.
