illusionist

noun

il·​lu·​sion·​ist i-ˈlü-zh(ə-)nist 

: a person who produces illusory effects: such as

a

: a sleight-of-hand performer or a magician

b

: one (such as an artist) whose work is marked by illusionism

illusionistic

i-ˌlü-zhə-ˈni-stik 

adjective

illusionistically

i-ˌlü-zhə-ˈni-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• magician

Examples of illusionist in a Sentence

tried to figure out how the illusionist made his assistant disappear from the stage

Recent Examples on the Web

The famed illusionist Harry Houdini spent the last years of his life exposing mediums as phonys. —Taylor Crumpton, Time, 2 Sep. 2025

After decades of desires to see Jim Henson's beloved characters on stage, Kermit the Frog and his pals will finally make their Broadway debut this holiday season alongside master illusionist Rob Lake. —Dave Quinn, People.com, 20 Aug. 2025

Frankish and the illusionists believe the hard problem is asking a bad question. —Theodore McDarrah, Forbes.com, 27 July 2025

Morse, a big man who looks a little bit like the illusionist Ricky Jay and has a similar no-nonsense demeanor, is moved to tears by the news. —Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 30 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

illusionist

noun

il·​lu·​sion·​ist i-ˈlü-zhə-nist 

: a person who produces illusions

especially : a performer of sleight of hand or a magician