illusion
/ɪˈluːʒ(ə)n
/noun
1An instance of a wrong or misinterpreted perception of a sensory experience: stripes embellish the surface to create the illusion of various wood-grain textures...
- Hallucinations and illusions are disturbances of perception that are common in people suffering from schizophrenia.
- The intoxicated state is characterized by illusions, visual hallucinations and bodily distortions.
- They also experienced visual illusions such as real objects appearing to move or pulsate.
Synonyms
mirage, hallucination, apparition, phantasm, phantom, vision, spectre, fantasy, figment of the imagination, will-o'-the-wisp, trick of the light;
Latin ignis fatuus
1.1A deceptive appearance or impression: the illusion of family togetherness...
- Unfortunately, Britain and Europe are all too eager to pretend that such illusions are reality.
- The progress of the film is a progress through illusion and deception toward reality and truth.
- However, you will live in a metaphysical world, where reality and illusions will be so skewed that they will appear to be identical.
Synonyms
appearance, impression, imitation, semblance, pretence, sham;
false appearance, deceptive appearance, deception, misperception
rare simulacrum
1.2A false idea or belief: he had no illusions about the trouble she was in...
- Man and house are thus a perfect match, as all the characters trapped in their own illusions and false expectations of Sancher end up more hurt than healed.
- Our world will appear to crumble as we know it, as distractions, false voices, illusions and misconceptions will be taken away from us.
- Believing that our beliefs are illusions, however, is self-refuting.
Synonyms
delusion, misapprehension, misconception, deception, false impression, mistaken impression;
fantasy, dream, chimera, fool's paradise, self-deception, castles in the air, castles in Spain;
fallacy, error, misjudgement, fancy
Phrases
be under the illusion that
be under no illusion (or illusions)
Derivatives
illusional
- The illusional architecture was then painted by Orazio's associate, Agostino Tassi, a master of perspective, who had been engaged to teach that art to Artemisia.
- Anyway, we know the extent of Pennyn's powers is at least illusional.
illusionary
/ adjective ...- Liberties would be discarded to seek illusionary security; commerce would grind to a halt under the burden of regulation and continual emergency.
- Dreams pervade the play, giving it an illusionary quality and heightening the sense of dark hilarity that frequently has the audience hysterical with laughter.
- The momentary pain of a sting gives way to an illusionary floating feeling that lasts six to eight hours.
Origin
Middle English (in the sense 'deceiving, deception'): via Old French from Latin illusio(n-), from illudere 'to mock', from in- 'against' + ludere 'play'.
The first sense recorded for illusion was ‘deception, attempt to fool’. It came via Old French from Latin illudere ‘to mock, ridicule, make sport of’, from in- ‘against’ and ludere ‘play’. The prime modern sense of ‘a false idea or belief’ dates from the late 18th century.