illusionist
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the true nature of something, especially something bad, difficult etc: I have no illusions about his ability – he's just no good.
Compare illusion and delusion. An illusion is something which people might reasonably believe to be true, but is in fact false: The sun appears to go round the Earth, but this is an illusion. A delusion is something that is believed to be true (perhaps by only one person) but is obviously false: The patient suffers from the delusion that he is Napoleon.
il·lu·sion·ist /ɪˈluːʒənɪst/ n an entertainer (a MAGICIAN) who plays tricks on the eyes in a stage performance
il·lu·so·ry /ɪˈluːsəri/ also il·lu·sive /ɪˈluːsɪv/ adj fml deceiving and unreal; based on an illusion: an illusory belief/victory
il·lus·trate /ˈləstreɪt/ v [T] 1 to add pictures to (something written): a beautifully illustrated book 2 to make the meaning of (something) clearer by giving related examples: His story about her illustrates her true generosity very clearly.
il·lus·tra·tion /ˌɪləˈstreɪʃən/ n 1 [C] a picture to go with the words of a book, speaker etc: The illustrations are better than the text. 2 [C(əʊ)] an example which explains, shows, or helps to prove something: a typical illustration of his meanness 3 [U] the act of illustrating 4 by way of illustration as an example
il·lus·tra·tive /ɪˈlʌstreɪtɪv, -strət-/ɪˈlʌstrətɪv/ adj used for explaining the meaning of something: an illustrative example → see also ILLUSTRATE —~ly adv
il·lus·tra·tor /ˈɪləstreɪtər/ n a person who draws pictures, especially for a book
il·lus·tri·ous /ɪˈlʌstriəs/ adj famous; widely known and admired for one's great works: the illustrious name of Shakespeare —~ly adv
,ill 'will n [U] hatred or strong dislike; HOSTILITY: Despite the way they treated her, she bears them no ill will. (=does not feel ill will towards them)
ILO, the /ˌaɪ el ˈəʊ/ abbrev. for the INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION
I Love Lu·cy /ˌaɪ lʌv ˈluːsi/ (1951-57) a humorous US television programme in which Lucille BALL plays the character Lucy, a silly woman who is always getting involved in funny, complicated situations. She usually asks her NEIGHBOURS, Fred and Ethel, to help her so that her husband Ricky, played by Lucille Ball's husband, Desi Arnaz, does not find out what she has done. There are also two later series, THE LUCY SHOW (1962-68) and HERE'S LUCY (1968-73). The programmes are still often shown on US television.
I'm /aɪm/ short for 'I am': I'm a student.
im- → see WORD FORMATION TABLE
IM /ˌaɪ ˈem/ n [U] abbrev. for instant messaging; a type of service available on the Internet that allows you to quickly exchange written messages with people that you know
iMac /ˈaɪmæk/ trademark a type of computer made by Apple Macintosh. The MONITOR and the CPU are contained within a single unit. iMacs are produced in a range of bright colours and some people think their design is more interesting and attractive than that of more traditional computers.
I'm A Ce·lebrity ˌGet Me 'Out Of Here a British REALITY TV programme in which a group of famous people spend two weeks in a camp in the Australian JUNGLE where they are filmed all the time. They have to live in a very simple way, with only basic food and equipment. Each day, people watch them on television and vote to decide which famous person must do a difficult activity in order to win food for the whole group. In the second week, the public votes each day for one person to leave the camp until there is a winner.
im·age /ˈɪmɪdʒ/ n 1 [C(əʊ)] a picture formed in the mind: She had a clear image of how she would look in twenty years' time. 2 [C] a picture formed of an object in front of a mirror or LENS such as the picture formed on the film inside a camera or one's REFLECTION in a mirror 3 [C] the general opinion about a person, organization etc, especially one that has been intentionally formed in people's minds: The government will have to improve its image if it wants to win the next election. | The company tries to project an image of being innovative and progressive. 4 [(the)(of)] a copy: He's the (very) image of his father. 5 [the+of] a phrase giving an idea of something in a poetical form, especially a METAPHOR or SIMILE 6 old use likeness; form: According to the Bible, man was made in the image of God. → see also MIRROR IMAGE, SPITTING IMAGE
im·ag·ery /ˈɪmɪdʒəri/ n [U] images (IMAGE) generally, especially as used in literature
i·mag·in·a·ble /ɪˈmædʒɪnəbəl/ adj that can be imagined: We tried every imaginable means/every means imaginable, but we couldn't wake her up. → opposite UNIMAGINABLE
i·mag·i·nary /ɪˈmædʒɪnəri/ adj not real, but produced from pictures or ideas in someone's mind; existing only in imagination: All the characters in this book are imaginary. | My daughter has an imaginary friend. → compare IMAGINATIVE
i·mag·i·na·tion /ɪˌmædʒɪˈneɪʃən/ n 1 [C;U] the ability to imagine: The story shows plenty of imagination. | a vivid/fertile imagination | I'll leave the gory details to your imagination. (=I will not describe them) | His story about sailing around the world single-handed stretches the imagination somewhat. (=is very hard/impossible to believe) | The pantomime really captured the children's imagination and they talked about it for weeks. 2 [C] the mind: The difficulties are all in your imagination. (=they are not real) 3 [U] infml something only imagined and not real: Her pains are mostly pure imagination.
i·mag·i·na·tive /ɪˈmædʒɪnətɪv/ adj 1 that shows use of the imagination: imaginative writing | an imaginative design → compare IMAGINARY 2 good at inventing imaginary things or artistic forms, or at producing new ideas: an imaginative child —~ly adv
i·mag·ine /ɪˈmædʒɪn/ v [T] 1 [not usually in progressive forms] to form (a picture or idea) in the mind: I can imagine the scene quite clearly. | You can imagine my surprise when they told me the news. | [+wh-] You can imagine how surprised I was. | [+(that)] Try to imagine that you're all alone on a desert island. | [+v-ing] It's hard to imagine living in a place where there are no cars. | [+obj+v-ing] Can you imagine George cooking the dinner? 2 to believe or have an idea about (something that is false or does not exist): There's nobody following us – you're just imagining it! | [+(that)] He imagines that people don't like him, but they do. 3 [+(that); not in progressive forms] to suppose; think: I imagine she was pretty annoyed when she found out. 4 (just) imagine (it/that)! (an expression of surprise or disapproval): 'She's dyed her hair purple.' 'Imagine that!'
im·am /ˈɪmɑm, ˈɪmæm/ n a Muslim priest and/or prince, or someone who studies Muslim law
IMAX /ˈaɪmæks/ trademark a system for showing films on a special curved cinema screen that is much larger than usual. The AUDIENCE sit very close to the screen and are able to see a lot of detail. This makes the film seem very real.
im·bal·ance /ɪmˈbæləns/ n [C;U] a lack of balance or proper relationship; a noticeable and usually undesirable difference, especially between two qualities or between two examples of one thing: a population imbalance, in which more males are born than females | a serious trade imbalance between the two countries
im·be·cile /ˈɪmbəsil–səl/ n 1 a fool or stupid person 2 old use or tech a person of weak mind, but less weak than an IDIOT
im·be·cil·i·ty /ˌɪmbəˈsɪləti/ n 1 [U] the state of being an imbecile 2 [C] an act of great foolishness
im·bed /ɪmˈbed/ v -dd- T[ɪn]) to EMBED
im·bibe /ɪmˈbaɪb/ v [i;T] fml or humor to drink or take in (especially alcohol): (fig.) imbibing knowledge at his mother's knee (=as a small child)
im·bro·gli·o /ɪmˈbrɑʊliəʊ/ n pl. -glios 1 an occasion filled with confused action 2 a misunderstanding or difficult and confusing situation, especially in a play
im·bue /ɪmˈbjuː/ v
imbue sbdy. with sthg. phr v [T usually pass.] to fill with (something, especially a strong feeling or opinion): A president should be imbued with a sense of responsibility for the nation.
IMF, the /ˌaɪ em ef/ abbrev. for the International Monetary