1
a
: the illusion of remembering scenes and events when experienced for the first time
b
: a feeling that one has seen or heard something before
Despite a blond, swept-back mane all his own, Fonda looks startlingly like his father, Henry … . He even moves like his father, only dispelling the eerie feeling of déjà vu when he opens his mouth. Peter Biskind
2
: something overly or unpleasantly familiar
The team's poor start to the season was déjà vu for its long-suffering fans.

Examples of déjà vu in a Sentence

I entered the room and immediately felt a sense of déjà vu. When the car broke down again, it was déjà vu. The rise in housing costs is déjà vu all over again.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As the Sens kept losing, the team’s confidence plummeted, and an underachieving November had fans and players feeling deja vu. Julian McKenzie, The Athletic, 28 Dec. 2024 Maresca admits to feeling a case of deja vu right now. Simon Johnson, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, adjective, literally, already seen

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of déjà vu was in 1903

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Cite this Entry

“Déjà vu.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/d%C3%A9j%C3%A0%20vu. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

déjà vu

noun
: a feeling that one has seen or heard something before
Etymology

French, literally, "already seen"

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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