Meaning & use
delulu
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Holding unrealistic hopes or beliefs, especially about romance or success, in a way that others find silly.
Grammar: Used after a linking verb or before a noun: you are so delulu; a delulu fantasy.
Patterns
- be delulu about something
- go delulu
I know I am delulu, but I think he will text me back.
She is totally delulu about winning the lottery.
Stop being delulu; the concert sold out months ago.
noununcountablehumorous
A state of positive but unrealistic belief or fantasy, chosen on purpose to feel hopeful.
Grammar: Often in the phrase delulu is the solulu, meaning believing makes it possible.
Patterns
- live in delulu
- delulu is the solulu
Her motto is delulu is the solulu, so she keeps applying to top jobs.
They live in delulu, planning a wedding after one date.
A little delulu keeps me going through exam season.
nouncountableinformal
A person who has unrealistic hopes or fantasies, often about a celebrity or a love interest.
Grammar: Countable and informal: a delulu.
Patterns
- a delulu about someone
My friend is a delulu who thinks the singer will notice her.
Call me a delulu, but I believe we will win.
The group chat is full of delulus planning the dream trip.
Word forms
| comparative | deluluer |
|---|---|
| superlative | deluluest |
Common combinations
- go delulu
- Fans go delulu when the band announces a tour.
- delulu is the solulu
- Delulu is the solulu, so I am applying anyway.
- be a little delulu
- I am a little delulu about my chances, honestly.
- delulu about
- She is delulu about her ex coming back.
Synonyms and how they differ
- delusional
- Delusional is the full, standard word and can be a medical or serious criticism, whereas delulu is playful slang.
- starry-eyed
- Starry-eyed describes naive optimism and sounds gentler and more old-fashioned.
- unrealistic
- Unrealistic is neutral and general, without delulu's humor and social-media flavor.
Opposites
Word family
- delusional adjective
- having false beliefs
- delusion noun
- a false belief
- delude verb
- to make someone believe something false
- solulu noun
- slang rhyme for solution, used in delulu is the solulu
Commonly confused: delulu or delusional?
delulu vs delusional
Delusional can describe a serious mental symptom; delulu is casual slang and is usually meant humorously.
Practice
My friend thinks a famous singer will reply to her message, and I told her she is being completely ____.
Choose one answer.
Delulu is slang for having unrealistic hopes. Realistic and cautious mean the opposite of her behavior.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “delulu”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.