Delusional, affectionately — believing in something unlikely (usually a crush or dream outcome) despite the evidence.
Delusional, affectionately — believing in something unlikely (usually a crush or dream outcome) despite the evidence. Often worn as a badge: "delulu is the solulu."
"I know he has a girlfriend, but I think he's texting me cryptically. I'm delulu and I'm fine with it."
delulu means Delusional, affectionately — believing in something unlikely (usually a crush or dream outcome) despite the evidence. It's mostly used on TikTok and short-form video. It's casual and generally safe with friends and online. It's standard online vocabulary; nothing inherently concerning about hearing it.
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
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The words defining how Gen Z and TikTok talk right now — from rizz and aura to skibidi, delulu, and the ick. Updated as fast as the trends move.
See all Gen Z & TikTok slang on Slangora.
Browse all slang words starting with D.
Delulu mode is the active, switched-on state of choosing to believe in a reality significantly more favorable than evidence supports — usually involving a crush, a career dream, or a highly optimistic life narrative. You know it might not be real. You don't care. In delulu mode, the unanswered text is 'probably just bad signal,' the job rejection email is 'probably a mistake,' and your situationship is 'basically a relationship.' It's a conscious suspension of rational thought in service of hope, and TikTok has largely decided this is a valid coping mechanism, at least in small doses.
Being delulu pilled means you've fully committed to the philosophy that unshakeable optimistic delusion is actually a productive life strategy — that manifesting hard enough, believing in something loudly enough, and refusing to entertain negative outcomes is a legitimate approach to reality. 'Delulu is the solulu' is the foundational text. Delulu pilled people aren't embarrassed by their magical thinking; they've theorized it into a worldview and are actively recruiting. They will send you the TikTok. They will tell you your ex is coming back. They really believe it.
Peak delulu is the single most unhinged, reality-adjacent belief you or someone else has committed to — the apex of magical thinking that becomes the stuff of legend among your friend group. It's not just casually misreading a text; it's the full manifested conviction that a celebrity you've never met is your soulmate, or that your ex 'definitely wants to get back together' based on liking a three-year-old Instagram post. Peak delulu moments are documented, shared, and eventually either vindicated ('I was RIGHT') or become cautionary tales told for years afterward.
He has released five hour-length standup specials: Haq Se Single (2017), Kaksha Gyarvi (2018), Tathastu (2022), Mannpasand (2023), and Delulu Express (2025) on Amazon Prime Video.
delulu means Delusional, affectionately — believing in something unlikely (usually a crush or dream outcome) despite the evidence. It's mostly used on TikTok and short-form video. It's casual and generally safe with friends and online. It's standard online vocabulary; nothing inherently concerning about hearing it.
"delulu" is slang. It means: Delusional, affectionately — believing in something unlikely (usually a crush or dream outcome) despite the evidence. Register: casual. Use it in: casual conversation and online posts. Avoid in: formal writing and professional emails. A more formal way to say this is "delusional".
“BITCOIN CFL DELULU IRISH JIG URGENT LEAGUE OF LEGENDS MORN RELIGION SOCIALMEDIA PENIS JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE VARIOUS LICHENS, SPIDERMAN FART”
“I love the sheer amount of whimsy, delulu, fun and giggles we have here!!!! >0<”
“He has released five hour-length standup specials: Haq Se Single (2017), Kaksha Gyarvi (2018), Tathastu (2022), Mannpasand (2023), and Delulu Express (2025) on Amazon Prime Video.”
“Delulu ( ) is Internet slang for delusional, specifically for believing that one can influence one's destiny through sheer willpower.”
“It was adopted by Generation Z and Generation Alpha, popularized by viral TikTok trends such as the catchphrase "delulu is the solulu", that is, self-confidence is key to achieving one's dreams, however far-fetched.”
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Inverse usage: "not delulu" describes someone who has finally faced reality — about a job, a crush, or their own creative work. "I'm not delulu anymore" is a small victory.
"Finally not delulu. He's not going to text back. Moving on."
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Signs you're delulu: (1) reading into three-word replies, (2) building a shared future around one coffee, (3) narrating his texts in your head. Diagnosing yourself is the first step; choosing not to recover is the brand.
"He sent me ‘lol' back. I'm already picking out rings. Peak delulu."
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