hallucination
noun
hal·lu·ci·na·tion hə-ˌlü-sə-ˈnā-shən 
1
a
: a sensory perception (such as a visual image or a sound) that occurs in the absence of an actual external stimulus and usually arises from neurological disturbance (such as that associated with delirium tremens, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, or narcolepsy) or in response to drugs (such as LSD or phencyclidine)
visual/auditory/olfactory/gustatory/tactile hallucinations
a drug-induced hallucination
An important aspect of the study of hallucinations is the judgement of reality. How does a patient confer the character of reality on stimuli which, beyond any reasonable doubt, originate in his own mind?
Cesare Davalli et al.
Cesare Davalli et al. b
: the object of a hallucinatory perception
wasn't sure if the creature was real or a hallucination
2
: an unfounded or mistaken impression or notion : delusion
Synonyms
- chimera
- conceit
- daydream
- delusion
- dream
- fancy
- fantasy
- phantasy
- figment
- illusion
- nonentity
- phantasm
- fantasm
- pipe dream
- unreality
- vision
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
He could not tell if what he was seeing was real or if it was a hallucination. He has been having hallucinations due to the medication.
Recent Examples on the Web Fiction acquires the true, tangible qualities of a hallucination while reality becomes somehow an oneiric dimension. Vogue, 12 Sep. 2022 The brightly colored plants carry a natural neurotoxin called grayanotoxin that, when consumed, can induce euphoria, hallucination and intoxication — as the bear quickly came to know. María Luisa Paúl, Washington Post, 12 Aug. 2022 The hallucination sequence occurs right as Tommy begins the suicide act. Josh St. Clair, Men's Health, 13 June 2022 But then Audiard films her pirouetting in slow motion through that same restaurant, in a joyous hallucination of a sequence that becomes its own glorious expression of ardent, unbridled desire. Justin Changfilm Critic, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2022 As the older Hernán shares a draft of his hallucination-stirring home brew and speaks about his own personal history, Jessica seems to empty herself out. Justin Changfilm Critic, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2022 Interrupted by the floating lanterns, your figure becomes a hallucination, akin to a fickle mirage in water. Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2022 Its value is a collective hallucination, dependent on constant salesmanship and, in some cases, deception and market manipulation. Ben Mckenzie, The New Republic, 10 Mar. 2022 Gonzo journalism—Thompson’s unique blend of hyperbolic commentary, satire, invective, hallucination, and media critique—developed unevenly, haphazardly, almost by accident. Peter Richardson, The New Republic, 28 Jan. 2022 See More
Vogue, 12 Sep. 2022 The brightly colored plants carry a natural neurotoxin called grayanotoxin that, when consumed, can induce euphoria, hallucination and intoxication — as the bear quickly came to know. María Luisa Paúl, Washington Post, 12 Aug. 2022 The hallucination sequence occurs right as Tommy begins the suicide act. Josh St. Clair, Men's Health, 13 June 2022 But then Audiard films her pirouetting in slow motion through that same restaurant, in a joyous hallucination of a sequence that becomes its own glorious expression of ardent, unbridled desire. Justin Changfilm Critic, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2022 As the older Hernán shares a draft of his hallucination-stirring home brew and speaks about his own personal history, Jessica seems to empty herself out. Justin Changfilm Critic, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2022 Interrupted by the floating lanterns, your figure becomes a hallucination, akin to a fickle mirage in water. Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2022 Its value is a collective hallucination, dependent on constant salesmanship and, in some cases, deception and market manipulation. Ben Mckenzie, The New Republic, 10 Mar. 2022 Gonzo journalism—Thompson’s unique blend of hyperbolic commentary, satire, invective, hallucination, and media critique—developed unevenly, haphazardly, almost by accident. Peter Richardson, The New Republic, 28 Jan. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
see hallucinate
First Known Use
1629, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Kids Definition
hallucination
noun
hal·lu·ci·na·tion hə-ˌlü-sə-ˈnā-shən
: the seeing of objects or the experiencing of feelings that are not real but are usually the result of mental disorder or the effect of a drug
Medical Definition
hallucination
noun
hal·lu·ci·na·tion hə-ˌlüs-ᵊn-ˈā-shən
1
: a sensory perception (as a visual image or a sound) that occurs in the absence of an actual external stimulus and usually arises from neurological disturbance (as that associated with delirium tremens, Lewy body disease, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, or narcolepsy) or in response to drugs (as LSD or phencyclidine)
visual/auditory/olfactory/gustatory/tactile hallucinations
a drug-induced hallucination
compare delusion sense 2, illusion sense 2a 2
: the object of a hallucinatory perception
hallucination
noun
1
as in illusion
a conception or image created by the imagination and having no objective reality were the voices real, or merely a hallucination? Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- illusion
- dream
- daydream
- vision
- fantasy
- delusion
- unreality
- phantasm
- nightmare
- figment
- mirage
- chimera
- imaging
- idea
- phantasy
- pipe dream
- conceit
- fiction
- fantasm
- nonentity
- visualization
- concoction
- fancy
- castle in the air
- castle in Spain
- utopia
- fabrication
- ignis fatuus
- fable
- envisaging
- cloudland
- brainchild
- will-o'-the-wisp
- invention
- cloud-cuckoo-land
- daymare
- Shangri-la
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- reality
- fact
- actuality
2
as in delusion
a false idea or belief the common hallucination that gluttony during the holiday season doesn't have consequences Synonyms & Similar Words
- delusion
- illusion
- myth
- error
- superstition
- misunderstanding
- misconception
- fallacy
- misbelief
- falsehood
- untruth
- falsity
- distortion
- fiction
- tale
- lie
- old wives' tale
- pretense
- misperception
- misinterpretation
- miscomprehension
- misrepresentation
- misjudgment
- factoid
- misapprehension
- inaccuracy
- misstatement
- story
- misinformation
- sophism
- sophistry
- pretence
- fib
- misknowledge
- half-truth
- misreport
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- truth
- verity
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of hallucination are delusion, illusion, and mirage. While all these words mean "something that is believed to be true or real but that is actually false or unreal," hallucination implies impressions that are the product of disordered senses, as because of mental illness or drugs.
suffered from terrifying hallucinations
The words delusion and hallucination are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, delusion implies an inability to distinguish between what is real and what only seems to be real, often as the result of a disordered state of mind.
delusions of persecution
Although the words illusion and hallucination have much in common, illusion implies a false ascribing of reality based on what one sees or imagines.
an illusion of safety
While in some cases nearly identical to hallucination, mirage in its extended sense applies to an illusory vision, dream, hope, or aim.
claimed a balanced budget is a mirage