Meaning & use
illusion
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
A false belief or impression that you hold even though it is not true.
Grammar: Often used in phrases like have no illusions or under the illusion.
Patterns
- be under the illusion that something
- have no illusions about something
She had no illusions about how hard the job would be.
They were under the illusion that the repairs would be cheap.
The idea of a quick fix is an illusion.
nouncountable
Something that looks real or different from what it really is, as a trick of the eyes or mind.
Grammar: Often used with optical or visual: an optical illusion.
Patterns
- an optical illusion
- an illusion of something
The painting is an optical illusion that seems to move.
Mirrors create the illusion of a bigger room.
The magician's illusion fooled the whole audience.
Word forms
| plural | illusions |
|---|
Common combinations
- optical illusion
- The drawing is a famous optical illusion.
- under the illusion
- He was under the illusion that no one would notice.
- create an illusion
- Lighting can create an illusion of depth.
- shatter an illusion
- The report shattered her illusions about the firm.
- have no illusions
- I have no illusions about winning.
- illusion of control
- Checking constantly gives an illusion of control.
Synonyms and how they differ
- delusion
- Delusion is a stronger belief held despite clear evidence, often a sign of mental trouble, while illusion is milder.
- fantasy
- Fantasy is an imagined situation you know is not real, but an illusion can fool you.
- misconception
- Misconception is a mistaken idea due to a misunderstanding, not a deceptive appearance.
- mirage
- Mirage is a literal or poetic trick of light, often in a desert, and is more vivid.
Opposites
Word family
- illusory adjective
- not real, based on illusion
- illusionist noun
- a stage magician
- disillusion verb
- to free someone from a false belief
- disillusioned adjective
- disappointed after losing a belief
Commonly confused: illusion or allusion? illusion or delusion?
illusion vs allusion
An allusion is an indirect reference, as in an allusion to Shakespeare. An illusion is a false appearance or belief.
illusion vs delusion
A delusion is a false belief that persists against evidence, while an illusion can be a trick that is later recognized.
Practice
The mirrors on the wall create the ______ of a much larger room.
Choose one answer.
Illusion of means a false impression. Allusion is a reference, and delusion is a persistent false belief, so they do not fit.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “illusion”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.