illusion

noun

i-LOO-zhuhn/ɪˈlu.ʒən/UKi-LYOO-zhuhn/ɪˈl(j)uːʒ(ə)n/

Pluralillusions

4 meanings of illusion

1
nouncountable
Something that looks real or true but is not what it seems.
Like seeing what looks like water on a hot road, when there is really nothing there.
The flat painting created the illusion of a deep, open room.
Mirrors on both walls give the small shop an illusion of space.
Similarimpression, appearance, semblance, mirage
Oppositereality
Note
2
nouncountable
A wrong belief that something is true when it really is not.
Like being certain you locked the door when you actually left it wide open.
He lived under the illusion that everyone at work admired him.
She finally let go of the illusion that the job was safe.
Similardelusion, fantasy, misconception, fallacy, myth
Oppositereality, truth, fact
3
nouncountable
A trick by a magician that makes something impossible seem to happen.
Like a card trick where the coin you saw a second ago is suddenly gone.
The magician's best illusion made a parked car vanish on stage.
Children gasped at every illusion in the afternoon show.
Similartrick, stunt
Note
4
noununcountable
The state of being fooled, so that you believe something that is not true.
For years he lived in a world of illusion, sure that his shop was doing well.
The truth hurt, but she was glad to be free of illusion at last.
Similardelusion, deception, fantasy
Oppositereality, truth
Note

Practice

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Origin

It comes from Latin, from a word meaning to play, mock, or trick, and reached English through Old French.