il·lu·so·ry

[ih-loo-suh-ree, -zuh-]
adjective
1.
causing illusion; deceptive; misleading.
2.
of the nature of an illusion; unreal.

Origin:
1590–1600; < Late Latin illūsōrius, equivalent to illūd(ere) to mock, ridicule (see illusion) + -tōrius -tory1

il·lu·so·ri·ly, adverb
il·lu·so·ri·ness, noun
un·il·lu·so·ry, adjective

elusive, illusory.


1. fallacious, specious, false. 2. imaginary; visionary, fancied.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To illusory
00:10
Illusory is always a great word to know.
So is flibbertigibbet. Does it mean:
a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare.
a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.
Collins
World English Dictionary
illusory or illusive (ɪˈluːsərɪ, ɪˈluːsɪv) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
adj
producing, produced by, or based on illusion; deceptive or unreal
 
usage  Illusive is sometimes wrongly used where elusive is meant: they fought hard, but victory remained elusive (not illusive)
 
illusive or illusive
 
adj
 
usage  Illusive is sometimes wrongly used where elusive is meant: they fought hard, but victory remained elusive (not illusive)
 
il'lusorily or illusive
 
adv
 
il'lusively or illusive
 
adv
 
il'lusoriness or illusive
 
n
 
il'lusiveness or illusive
 
n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

illusory
1590s, from Fr. illusorie, from L.L. illusorius "of a mocking character," from L. illudere "mock at," lit. "to play with," from in- "at" + ludere "to play" (see ludicrous).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
And although the situation appears to change, the change is illusory.
GM foods are not made to solve an illusory food shortage.
Prominently placed in the center of the picture, it serves as a sly reminder of
  the illusory nature of realist painting.
Against the scale of the rebellion, these were illusory accomplishments.
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