Street voices
Janna
·
United States
"Delulu, spelled D-E-L-U-L-U, is basically short for delusional and is typically used in like the relationship manner where, you know, it's like, it's a funny way. It's not a like, like proper like institutional delusion. It's basically picking up like random little hints that you're having from someone you're talking to and going like, oh my god, yeah, he's into me or she's into me or they're into me. An example would be, okay, so Brian asked for my notes last time. And I saw him writing notes in class. So pretty sure he's into me. I'm just delulu."
What it means
Short for delusional, but in a playful, online way. It first blew up in fandom spaces for people joking that their fave celebrity was obviously gonna notice them, date them, maybe marry them. Now it gets used for anyone running on wild wishful thinking, especially in romance, but also jobs, money, or any big fantasy they've already half moved into mentally.
Usage examples
"She's convinced she's gonna bump into Timothée Chalamet at Whole Foods and they'll fall in love on the spot, fully delulu energy right there."
"I am fully delulu about winning the lottery this week, I have already planned the house, the dog, and the trip around the world."
"He liked my Instagram story from 2022 and now you're planning baby names. Babe, that's delulu."
"I'm a bit delulu thinking I'll apply for one job and somehow end up on a six-figure salary by Friday."
"Girl, he watched one of your Stories and now you've picked a wedding venue. That's pure delulu."
Where it comes from
Delulu is a playful internet clipping of delusional. It took off in K-pop and fandom spaces where people joked they were fully convinced their fave idol was secretly obsessed with them. From there it spread through stan culture, TikTok, and everyday online chat, turning into a funny label for wildly unrealistic hope.
Editors of this term
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