illusions
illusions — noun
- illusionssingular
- illusionsesplural
1. a belief or opinion that is wrong, often because many people share it or because
a belief or opinion that is wrong, often because many people share it or because you want it to be true rather than face an unpleasant reality
Amira had no illusions about how difficult the project would be.
collocation: have no illusions about [sth]
The idea that a new phone will make you popular is just an illusion.
pattern: [sth] is just an illusion
Brooke was under the illusion that the exam would be easy, so she did not study.
Kenji's parents never let him keep the illusion that success comes without effort.
The promise of quick profits turned out to be an illusion that cost investors a lot of money.
- misconception
less emotional; simply a wrong understanding of facts, not necessarily pleasant to believe
- delusion
stronger; a false belief held despite strong evidence against it, often used in psychology
- fantasy
suggests imagination or daydreaming; the person may not truly believe it
- reality
the true state of things as they actually exist
用法筆記
Often used in negative phrases such as 'have no illusions about something' to express a clear understanding of reality.
常見錯誤
2. an image or effect that looks like one thing but is actually something else, esp
an image or effect that looks like one thing but is actually something else, especially one that tricks the eye or the mind
The mirror at the end of the hall creates the illusion of a much larger room.
collocation: create the illusion of [sth]
From a distance, the hot road looks like a pool of water — a common visual illusion in summer.
The children watched in amazement as the magician performed a clever card illusion.
Alessia used pale blue paint on the ceiling to give the small room the illusion of height.
The spinning black-and-white pattern creates an optical illusion that seems to move on its own.
- mirage
a specific type of illusion caused by hot air reflecting light, usually in a desert or on a road
- trick
more general; can refer to any deceptive action, not just visual
- apparition
a ghost-like figure that seems to appear suddenly; less common in everyday use
- reality
what actually exists, without distortion or deception
用法筆記
Often collocates with 'optical' (optical illusion) to describe a visual trick in which the brain misinterprets what the eyes see.