An allusion is an indirect reference to a well-known story, person or event: the title is an allusion to a fairy tale. An illusion is a false impression: mirrors create the illusion of space. Under the illusion that means wrongly believing something. Allusion goes with to, illusion with of.
allusion or illusion — can you pick the right one?
Pick a word and write a sentence — we'll check right away that it fits the meaning and explain any mistakes.
The check is taking longer than usual. Your feedback will appear here automatically.
an allusion to a story/person; an illusion of something; under the illusion that
- The poem contains an allusion to a well-known sea voyage.
- The painted window creates the illusion of an extra room.
- We were under the illusion that the tickets included the return journey.
What changed
First versionThe mirrors create the allusion of a wider corridor.
RevisionThe mirrors create the illusion of a wider corridor.
Illusion is the more familiar word, and allusion looks like a typo of it, so the two swap places. But here the mirrors make the corridor look wider, and a false impression is an illusion: the illusion of a wider corridor.
An allusion hints at something without naming it directly: the café's name is an allusion to a local legend. A reference mentions it directly: a reference to the report. A delusion is a firm false belief: delusions of grandeur.
Your turn
Choose the noun meaning an indirect reference: The title is an ___ to an old folk tale.
Show the answer
allusion — The title hints at a folk tale, so it's allusion, an indirect reference. Illusion means a false impression.
Describe a title, song or picture that refers to a well-known story. Use an allusion to.
The café's name is an allusion to the village legend about a travelling musician.
Learn to use new words without mistakes
Write phrases with the words you are learning. LetsWords shows mistakes in usage and grammar, suggests corrections and explains them, and review helps the words stick.