What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mirage
Example
The travelers saw a mirage of an oasis in the distance. [mirage: noun]
Example
The heat made the road ahead look like a mirage. [mirage: adjective]
delusion
Example
He was under the delusion that he could fly. [delusion: noun]
Example
She had a delusional idea that her cat could talk. [delusional: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Delusion is more commonly used than mirage in everyday language. Delusion is a term used in psychology and psychiatry to describe a specific type of cognitive distortion, while mirage is a less common word used to describe a specific type of optical illusion.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between mirage and delusion?
Delusion is a more formal word than mirage. It is often used in academic or medical contexts, while mirage is more commonly used in casual conversation or in descriptions of natural phenomena.
