How Do You Spell ILLUSION?

Pronunciation: [ɪlˈuːʒən] (IPA)

The word "illusion" is spelled with a double "l" and a single "s" despite the pronunciation of the "s" sound. IPA phonetic transcription of this word is /ɪˈluʒən/. The first two sounds, /ɪ/ and /u/, represent the short "i" and "oo" sounds, respectively. The following sound, /ˈluʒ/ is pronounced as "loo-zh" with emphasis on the "zh" sound, even though the letter "l" precedes the "u." Finally, the sound /ən/, represented by an "n" in the spelling, is pronounced "n."

ILLUSION Meaning and Definition

  1. Illusion refers to a false perception or belief that is commonly mistaken for reality. It is a phenomenon that occurs when the senses misinterpret or distort information received from the external world, resulting in a subjective perception that differs from the objective reality. Illusions can occur in various forms, affecting different senses such as vision, hearing, touch, taste, and smell.

    Visual illusions are particularly common and involve misinterpretations of light, color, depth, or motion. They can create the illusion of seeing something that is not actually present or perceiving something differently than it is. Auditory illusions, on the other hand, lead to the misinterpretation of sounds, where one hears something that is not actually present or perceives it in a distorted manner.

    Illusions can be spontaneous or intentionally created through various techniques, such as magic tricks or visual art. They often exploit the brain's tendency to fill in missing information or make assumptions based on previous experiences. Illusions can also be influenced by psychological or cognitive factors, including expectations, biases, or mental states.

    Although illusions can be entertaining and captivating, they remind us of the fallibility of our senses and the potential for our perceptions to be deceived or manipulated. By studying illusions and understanding the mechanisms behind them, scientists gain insights into the functioning of the human mind and the complex relationship between perception and reality.

  2. A false perception, the mistaking of something for what it is not. When this illusion is fixed and cannot be removed by evidence to the contrary it becomes a delusion.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

  3. Deceptive appearance; false show; error.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for ILLUSION *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for ILLUSION

Etymology of ILLUSION

The word "illusion" originated from the Latin term "illusio", which means "a mocking". "Illusio" is derived from the verb "illudere", which combines the prefix "il-" (meaning "in-" or "not") with "ludere" (meaning "to play"). So, the original meaning of "illusion" in Latin was "to play at" or "to mock". Over time, the word evolved in English to refer specifically to deceptive or misleading perceptions or experiences that "mock" or deceive our senses.

Idioms with the word ILLUSION

  • labor under the illusion of/that The definition of the idiom "labor under the illusion of/that" means to hold or maintain a mistaken or false belief or perception despite evidence to the contrary. It suggests that someone is operating with a mistaken understanding or assumption, often due to being misinformed or lacking complete information.
  • be under no illusion The idiom "be under no illusion" means to not have any false or misguided beliefs about a situation or person. It implies that one should be fully aware of the reality or truth, without idealizing or deceiving oneself.
  • be under the illusion that To be under the illusion that means to believe or think something that is not true. It refers to the state of being deceived or mistaken about a particular situation or reality.
  • be under no illusion (or illusions) The idiom "be under no illusion (or illusions)" means to not have any false or overly optimistic beliefs or expectations about something. It implies being realistic and having a clear understanding of a situation, usually to avoid disappointment or deception.
  • labour under the delusion, illusion, misapprehension, etc. The idiom "labour under the delusion, illusion, misapprehension, etc." means to persistently believe or maintain a false or mistaken idea or perception. It implies that someone is operating or proceeding based on a misconception or an incorrect understanding of a situation or reality.

Similar spelling words for ILLUSION

Plural form of ILLUSION is ILLUSIONS

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