verb
disillusion
dihs-ih-LOO-zhuhn
verb
1
To make someone realize that a belief they held was false, often leaving them disappointed.
"Meeting his hero in person only disillusioned him further."
noun
1
The state of having lost a false belief, often leading to disappointment.
"Years of broken promises led to widespread disillusion with the government."
How to Use Disillusion
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLosing a belief you once trusted, and the letdown that comes with realizing it wasn't true.
Common mistake
"Disillusion" and "disillusionment" are often used interchangeably, but "disillusionment" is the more common noun form in everyday writing.
Easily confused with
disillusionment
Common pairings
disillusioned with
growing disillusion
Word Forms
disillusioned past tense, disillusions plural, disillusions singular
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Meeting his hero in person only _____ him further.
Etymology
Built from dis- plus illusion — literally the removal of an illusion.