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
From the front, the style is simultaneously stunning and mindboggling, almost giving an optical illusion effect.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 29 Oct. 2024
The dial is rendered in grand feu enamel in a way that creates an optical illusion as the watch moves – the idea is to create the effect of a raindrop falling on the still surface of a pond, with ripples radiating out from the seconds sub-dial.
—Carol Besler, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2024
During its rising phase, the moon often appears larger and brighter due to various optical illusions, including the moon illusion, in which our brains misinterpret its size when framed by foreground objects.
—Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 18 Oct. 2024
The entire book seems to flip back and forth, like an optical illusion, from literary novel to genre thriller and back again.
—Lev Grossman, The Atlantic, 30 Sep. 2024
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.
Marci Robin, Allure, 29 Oct. 2024
The dial is rendered in grand feu enamel in a way that creates an optical illusion as the watch moves – the idea is to create the effect of a raindrop falling on the still surface of a pond, with ripples radiating out from the seconds sub-dial.
—Carol Besler, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2024
During its rising phase, the moon often appears larger and brighter due to various optical illusions, including the moon illusion, in which our brains misinterpret its size when framed by foreground objects.
—Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 18 Oct. 2024
The entire book seems to flip back and forth, like an optical illusion, from literary novel to genre thriller and back again.
—Lev Grossman, The Atlantic, 30 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for optical illusion
Dictionary Entries Near optical illusion
Cite this Entry
“Optical illusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optical%20illusion. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share