noun
Uncommon
mirage
mih-RAHZH
Mirage (noun) means an optical illusion, often seen in deserts or on hot roads, caused by light bending through layers of heated air — commonly appearing as a shimmering pool of water. Example: “The travelers chased what turned out to be nothing more than a mirage.”
noun
1
An optical illusion, often seen in deserts or on hot roads, caused by light bending through layers of heated air — commonly appearing as a shimmering pool of water.
"The travelers chased what turned out to be nothing more than a mirage."
"From a distance, the heat created a shimmering mirage on the highway."
2
Something that appears real or attainable but is actually an illusion.
"His promise of easy riches turned out to be a mirage."
How to use mirage
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA trick of light that makes something look real when it isn't — literally in the desert, or figuratively for false hopes.
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Word forms
- Plural
- mirages
- Third person singular
- mirages
- Past tense
- miraged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The travelers chased what turned out to be nothing more than a _____.
Etymology
Borrowed directly from French mirage in the early 1800s, from mirer ("to look at, reflect").
Class of 1800
mirage joined the language around 1800.
See the full Class of 1800 →
Rhymes for mirage
See all rhymes for mirage →Frequently asked questions
What does “mirage” mean?
The word “mirage” means an optical illusion, often seen in deserts or on hot roads, caused by light bending through layers of heated air — commonly appearing as a shimmering pool of water. In plain terms, a trick of light that makes something look real when it isn't — literally in the desert, or figuratively for false hopes.
How do you pronounce “mirage”?
“Mirage” is pronounced mih-RAHZH (/mɪˈɹɑːʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “mirage” in a sentence?
Here is “mirage” used in a sentence: “The travelers chased what turned out to be nothing more than a mirage.”
What part of speech is “mirage”?
“Mirage” is a noun.
Where does the word “mirage” come from?
The word “mirage” dates back to around 1800 and comes from French. Borrowed directly from French mirage in the early 1800s, from mirer ("to look at, reflect").
Is “mirage” a common word?
“Mirage” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “mirage” have?
“Mirage” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an optical illusion, often seen in deserts or on hot roads, caused by light bending through layers of heated air — commonly appearing as a shimmering pool of water.
