illusion
//ɪˈl(j)uːʒ(ə)n//
Forms
- Plural
- illusions
Definitions
1.A distortion of sensory perception where real stimuli lead to a false or misleading impression of reality.
- Using artificial additives, scientists can create the illusion of fruit flavours in food.
- You realize the sun don't go down it's just an illusion caused by the world spinning round.
- We saw what looked like a tiger among the trees, but it was an illusion caused by the shadows of the branches.
2.A misapprehension; a belief in something that is in fact not true.
- Jane has this illusion that John is in love with her.
3.A magician’s trick.
4.The state of being deceived or misled.
Frequency
Overall
Rare· #4597
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Rare
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Etymology
From Old French illusion, from Latin illūsiō, from illūdere, from in- (“at, upon”) + lūdere (“to play, mock, trick”).
Displaced native Old English dwimmer.