delulu
playful self-awareness, slightly delusional
the one-line answer
Delusional, especially about romantic prospects. Usually self-aware and funny about it.
Delulu comes from delusional and was popularized on TikTok. It describes someone who holds beliefs that are not grounded in reality, usually about a romantic interest or a celebrity crush. Unlike calling someone delusional as a genuine criticism, delulu is almost always self-aware. "I'm delulu" is an admission that you know your fantasies are not realistic but you are choosing to enjoy them anyway.
mainstream
Your coworker might use this word.
01 / in the wild
hear it move.
dating
he liked my photo from 2019. delulu mode activated.
I am going to read way too much into that small interaction.
self-encouragement
delulu is the solulu honestly.
Sometimes the best solution is just to be delusionally optimistic.
03 / don't confuse
similar, not the same.
delulu
Manifesting is about believing your goals will happen
vs
manifesting
Delulu is about romantic fantasy that is probably unrealistic.