delulu
/dəˈluːluː/
Very CommonDelusional, especially about relationships or unrealistic expectations.
Often self-aware and playful. People call themselves delulu as a joke while acknowledging their own wishful thinking. The phrase 'delulu is the solulu' embraces it.
Real-world examples5 examples
| # | Example | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | she thinks he likes her because he replied to her story once. delulu. | She is reading way too much into a minimal social interaction. | tiktok, 2024 |
| 02 | i know i'm being delulu but i genuinely think we had a moment | Acknowledging the belief is probably irrational but holding onto it anyway. | x, 2024 |
| 03 | delulu is the solulu. manifesting a text back. | Choosing to stay optimistic even though the situation looks hopeless. | tiktok, 2023 |
| 04 | fans thinking their idol is secretly dating them is peak delulu behavior | Parasocial relationships taken to an extreme are the ultimate example of being delusional. | reddit, 2023 |
| 05 | applied to my dream job with zero qualifications. certified delulu. | Doing something bold and unrealistic while fully aware of it. | x, 2024 |
Use it when
- Someone has unrealistic romantic expectations about a person who barely knows they exist.
- Someone is convinced something will work out despite all evidence to the contrary.
- You are joking about your own wishful thinking.
- A fan genuinely believes a celebrity will date them.
Do not use it when
- Someone has a genuine mental health condition involving delusions.
- You are being genuinely mean about someone's hopes.
- The situation is realistic and the person just has confidence.
Variations and related forms
Delulu vs simp
delulu
Delulu is about being delusional regarding whether someone likes you back.
VS
simp
Simp is about giving excessive attention or devotion to someone who does not reciprocate.
Origin and context
Shortened from delusional. Originated in K-pop fandom culture where fans would joke about being delusional about their relationships with idols. Crossed into mainstream internet slang around 2022-2023.
- First seen
- 2022
- Confidence
- medium
Cite this page
Use this stable URL to reference the entry.
https://slang.fyi/deluluUpdated: 2026-08-25License: CC BY 4.0