Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

optical illusion

noun

/ˈɑːptɪkəl ɪˈluːʒən/

Definition

A phenomenon that tricks the visual perception of the observer, causing them to see something that does not accurately represent reality.

Examples

The famous ‘Penrose stairs’ is an example of an optical illusion where the staircase appears to ascend or descend endlessly.
A common optical illusion is the ‘Munker-White’ effect, where colors appear different depending on their background.

Meaning

The way our brain interprets visual information can lead us to perceive images differently than they are. Optical illusions can create images that appear to change, disappear, or alter in size and shape.