optical illusion
noun
plural optical illusions
: a misleading image presented to the vision
Zebras look like optical illusions to me. Which are they—black with white stripes or white with black stripes?—
Al Robinson
Al RobinsonThe sun, moon, and planets circle above the terrestrial plane in the region of the equator. Their apparent rising and setting is an optical illusion caused by atmospheric refraction …—Ranger Rick
Ranger RickExamples of optical illusion in a Sentence
The closer building looks larger than the farther one, but it's just an optical illusion. The two buildings are actually the same size.
Recent Examples on the Web
Often, anti-tails are an optical illusion, but 3I/ATLAS' is real.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 28 Dec. 2025
Appearing at the left tip of NGC 646 is a second galaxy, known as PGC 6014—but their apparent closeness is merely an optical illusion; in truth, PGC 6014 is nearly 45 million light-years closer to Earth.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 24 Dec. 2025
That’s due to the brand’s Liquid Silk Technology, where micro-pigments in the formula scatter light as it’s refracted by the skin, quite literally creating an optical illusion a glowing complexion—all while still maintaining a lightweight feel.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 21 Dec. 2025
This pair, on the other hand, is lined with a thick layer of hidden fleece inside — a toasty warm optical illusion.
—Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for optical illusion
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Keith Cooper, Space.com, 28 Dec. 2025
Appearing at the left tip of NGC 646 is a second galaxy, known as PGC 6014—but their apparent closeness is merely an optical illusion; in truth, PGC 6014 is nearly 45 million light-years closer to Earth.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 24 Dec. 2025
That’s due to the brand’s Liquid Silk Technology, where micro-pigments in the formula scatter light as it’s refracted by the skin, quite literally creating an optical illusion a glowing complexion—all while still maintaining a lightweight feel.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 21 Dec. 2025
This pair, on the other hand, is lined with a thick layer of hidden fleece inside — a toasty warm optical illusion.
—Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for optical illusion
Cite this Entry
“Optical illusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optical%20illusion. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share