different between unreal vs illusive

English

Etymology

un- +? real

Pronunciation

• enPR: ?n-r?l', IPA^(key): /?n??i.?l/
• Rhymes: -i??l

Adjective

unreal (comparative more unreal, superlative most unreal)

1. fake; not real
   • 1922, Margery Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit

     "The Boy's Uncle made me Real," he said. "That was a great many years ago; but once you are Real you can't become unreal again. It lasts for always."

2. (informal) very impressive; amazing; unbelievable; incredible; larger or more fantastic than typical of real life.

   The video includes unreal footage of an eight-metre wave.

   I just had an unreal hamburger.

Synonyms

• (not real): See also Thesaurus:fake or Thesaurus:insubstantial
• (very impressive): See also Thesaurus:awesome

Antonyms

• (not real): real; See also Thesaurus:genuine

Translations

Anagrams

• Lauren, neural, ulnare

English

Etymology

illusion +? -ive

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??lu?s?v/
• Homophone: elusive

Adjective

illusive (comparative more illusive, superlative most illusive)

1. Subject to or pertaining to an illusion, often used in the sense of an unrealistic expectation or an unreachable goal or outcome.

   Testing software completely is an illusive goal.

   • […] he could not catch the illusive thing that had sadly perplexed as well as elevated his spirit.

Usage notes

• Often confused with elusive.

Synonyms

• (pertaining to an illusion): illusory

Derived terms

• illusively
• illusiveness

Translations