Illusory: meaning, definitions and examples

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illusory

[ɪˈluːsəri ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

perception

Based on illusion; not real. Illusory feelings of happiness often come from material possessions.

Synonyms

deceptive, false, imaginary.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
illusory	This word is used when something appears to be real or possible, but is actually not. It often describes perceptions, beliefs, or hopes that are misleading. The promise of quick wealth in the scheme was illusory. The sense of security they felt was just illusory.
deceptive	Use this word when describing something that causes someone to believe something that is not true, often used to signify the intent to mislead. Her calm demeanor was deceptive, hiding her inner turmoil. The advertisement was deceptive, leading customers to believe the product was better than it was.
false	This term is best used to describe something that is not true or correct, and is often applied to statements, claims, or appearances. The rumors about him were false. She gave a false name to the police.
imaginary	This word is used when referring to something that exists only in the mind and has no physical or factual basis. It's often associated with fantasy or fiction. He has an imaginary friend who he talks to every day. The monster under the bed was just imaginary.

Examples of usage

Illusory images created by the magician fascinated the audience.
The promise of quick wealth turned out to be illusory.
Her illusory belief in his loyalty was shattered when he betrayed her trust.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

appearance

Appearing real or true, but actually not so. The mirage created an illusory oasis in the desert.

Synonyms

fictitious, illusional, seeming.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
illusory	When something appears real but is actually an illusion, usually in a context where perception is deceived. The security of wealth can be illusory. His confidence was merely illusory.
seeming	When something appears to be one way but might not actually be so; emphasizes perception rather than reality. Despite his seeming calmness, he was very nervous. Her kindness was only seeming, as she had ulterior motives.
fictitious	When something is created by the imagination and does not exist in reality, often used for made-up stories or characters. She gave a fictitious name on the form. The plot of the book is purely fictitious.
illusional	Similar to 'illusory', this term often refers to something related to illusions, highlighting the nature of the illusion itself. The magician’s tricks were highly illusional. Her hopes of a perfect life were illusional.

Examples of usage

The illusory sense of security provided by the temporary ceasefire was soon shattered by renewed hostilities.
His illusory charm masked a darker personality beneath.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'illusorius', which means 'deceiving'.
It has been in use since the late 14th century, originally relating to misleading appearances.
The term is closely tied to the root word 'illude', meaning to mock or deceive.

Psychology

Humans often rely on visual perception, which can be influenced by various factors leading to illusions.
Cognitive biases can make people believe in illusory correlations, causing them to see patterns that aren't really there.
Illusions are not only limited to vision; they also affect how we perceive time and sound.

Art

Many artists, like M.C. Escher, use illusory techniques to create works that fool the eye and challenge perception.
The Surrealism movement often features illusory elements, blending reality with dreams to provoke thought.
Illusions in art can create a sense of depth or trick viewers into seeing movement where there is none.

Philosophy

Philosophers like Plato discussed the idea of an 'illusion' in his Allegory of the Cave, suggesting that what we perceive may not reflect reality.
The concept of illusory experiences raises questions about existence and what we can truly understand or know.
Illusionism in philosophy argues that what appears real may actually be a construct of our minds.

Pop Culture

In movies like 'The Prestige', themes of illusion are central, exploring the boundary between reality and magic.
Songs like 'Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds' by The Beatles evoke illusory imagery, transporting listeners to surreal worlds.
Video games often use stunning graphics and design to create illusory realities that immerse players in fictional worlds.

Translations

Translations of the word "illusory" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ilusório

🇮🇳 मायावी

🇩🇪 illusorisch

🇮🇩 ilusi

🇺🇦 ілюзорний

🇵🇱 iluzoryczny

🇯🇵 幻想的な

🇫🇷 illusoire

🇪🇸 ilusorio

🇹🇷 yanıltıcı

🇰🇷 환상의

🇸🇦 وهمي

🇨🇿 iluzorní

🇸🇰 iluzórny

🇨🇳 虚幻的

🇸🇮 iluzoren

🇮🇸 blekkingar

🇰🇿 иллюзиялық

🇬🇪 ილუზორული

🇦🇿 illüziyalı

🇲🇽 ilusorio

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,779, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

...
14776 steered
14777 metamorphosis
14778 hello
14779 illusory
14780 gendered
14781 sobbing
14782 contagion
...