# hallucination

/həˌɫusəˈneɪʃən/ (US) · /hɐlˌuːsɪnˈeɪʃən/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hallucination
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

a feeling or image that you see, hear, or feel in your mind when there is nothing there. It is like seeing or hearing something that is not real.

For teachers: a sensory perception that occurs without any external stimulus. It is often used to describe a mental state where a person experiences sights, sounds, or sensations that are not present in reality.

## Examples

- He had a hallucination of hearing his mother's voice.
- The patient reported a vivid hallucination of a bright light in the room, though no one else saw it.
- In the final stages of the illness, the patient experienced complex hallucinations that blurred the line between memory and reality, making it difficult for caregivers to provide consistent support.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.