C1nounpsychologyphilosophy
US/ɪˈluː.ʒən/
UK/ɪˈluː.ʒən/
a false idea or belief, or something that seems real but is not
In context
He had no illusions about how hard starting a business would be.
The mirrors give the illusion of a much bigger room.
Many people live under the illusion that money brings happiness.
Words that go with illusion
adjective + noun
- optical illusionThe picture is a famous optical illusion.
verb + noun
- create an illusionBright paint can create an illusion of space.
- have no illusionsI have no illusions about my chances of winning.
- shatter an illusionThe first day at work shattered his illusions.
noun + preposition
- under the illusionShe was under the illusion that the job was easy.
- illusion ofThe film gives an illusion of speed.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
He lives in an illusion of success.Correct: He lives under the illusion of success.