noun
Common
illusion
ih-LOOZHN
Illusion (noun) means a false or misleading impression created by something that appears real. Example: “The painting's bright colours gave the illusion of movement across the wall.”
noun
1
A false or misleading impression created by something that appears real.
"The painting's bright colours gave the illusion of movement across the wall."
"The mirrors created the illusion of a much larger room."
"He was under the illusion that the deal was already finalised."
2
A magic trick performed to deceive an audience.
"At the party, the young performer pulled off an illusion where a coin vanished from his hand."
"The audience applauded when the illusion revealed a dove inside the empty box."
"The magician's final illusion left the whole theatre gasping."
How to use illusion
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething that looks or feels real but isn't — a trick of perception, belief, or stagecraft.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "allusion" (an indirect reference) — they sound alike but mean completely different things.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
optical illusion
under the illusion
shatter the illusion
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Word forms
- Plural
- illusions
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The painting's bright colours gave the _____ of movement across the wall.
Etymology
From Old French illusion, from Latin illudere, "to mock or trick" — in- ("upon") + ludere ("to play").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for illusion
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for 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.
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