delulu

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Pronunciation: /dəˈluːluː/

Delulu is a playful abbreviation of “delusional,” used to describe someone with overly idealistic or unrealistic beliefs, often in the context of relationships, fandoms, or personal expectations.

Example Sentence(s):

“She’s being totally delulu if she thinks he’s going to fall for her after one compliment.”
“I know it’s delulu, but I really believe my favorite band will reunite soon.”

Origin: The term originated in online communities in the mid-2010s as a humorous way to describe unrealistic expectations, particularly in relationships and fandom culture.

Related Words:

Usage: Informal—widely used in memes, social media, and casual Gen Z conversations to jokingly call out wishful thinking.

Popularity Level: Moderately popular—frequently used to humorously critique idealistic attitudes.

First Known Use: Mid-2010s.

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