Slang dictionary · English internet slang · English internet slang
What does delulu mean?
Also written: delusional, delulu is the solulu, delulu era
In short
Delulu is a playful short form of delusional. It describes believing things that are not realistic, usually by choice, like being sure a celebrity will notice you or that a text that says "ok" means they love you. It began in K-pop fan communities around 2013 and 2014, where fans used it to tease each other, and spread on TikTok in the early 2020s. Today it can be a joke, a light insult, or a self-confident motto: "delulu is the solulu".
Where delulu comes from
Dictionary.com traces delulu to K-pop fandom: as early as late 2013 and early 2014, fans used it for obsessive fans, themselves included, especially those who imagined dating an idol. It stayed a fandom word through the 2010s and became a popular TikTok hashtag in the early 2020s. Cambridge now defines it as believing things that are not real or true, usually because you choose to.
How to use it
- "He replied with a thumbs-up, so we're basically engaged." "You're so delulu."
- "I'm in my delulu era: I've decided I'm getting that job."
- "Delulu is the solulu." (delusion is the solution: believing in it helps you get there)
- "Stay delulu, bestie."
Delulu is the solulu
This rhyming motto turned delulu partly positive. The idea is that acting as if an unlikely goal is already yours can push you towards it. Others reply that sometimes delulu is just delulu. Either way, it is said with a wink.
Tone
Among friends delulu is teasing, not hurtful. Telling a stranger they are delulu in an argument is a put-down. It is best kept for playful fan, dating and self-talk contexts, and it should not be used to talk about real mental health conditions.
FAQ
Is delulu a real word?
It is slang, but major dictionaries such as Cambridge now list it, defining it as believing things that are not real, usually by choice.
What does "delulu is the solulu" mean?
"Delusion is the solution": believing in an unlikely goal as if it will happen can help you reach it. It is half joke, half motivation.
Is delulu an insult?
It can be, but it is mostly teasing between friends or about yourself.