French Conversation · Level 86
60 words
French word
délire
Pronunciation
IPA/deliʁ/
Meaning
- masculine noundelusion
Example
Arrête ton délire !
Stop this delusion of yours!
More examples
Ce que tu dis, c'est du délire.
What you're saying is nonsense.
Core concept
An exaggerated mental story or burst of speech floating free of facts.
Common phrases
partir en délire
go wild
arrêter le délire
stop the nonsense
c'est du délire
That's nonsense
Similar words
folie: Extreme thoughts or actions far removed from reality.
exagération: The act of making something seem greater than it really is.
illusion: A mistaken belief that something nonexistent is real.
rêverie: A dreamy escape into unfocused fantasy away from reality.
Definition in French
Imagination ou propos détachés de la réalité, souvent absurdes ou exagérés; en langage familier, idée jugée sans fondement.
Word origin
The French noun developed from Latin delirium, a state of mental disturbance related to delirare, 'to stray from the furrow', and later gained broader figurative uses.
Usage tips
- In familiar speech, Arrête ton délire! usually means 'stop talking nonsense' and can sound rude outside an informal relationship.