English Meaning & Definitions
An optical illusion caused by atmospheric conditions, especially the appearance of a sheet of water in a desert or on a hot road caused by the refraction of light from the sky by heated air.
- “The weary traveler mistook the shimmering heat on the horizon for a cooling lake, but it was only a mirage.”
- “The promise of quick riches in the startup world often turns out to be a mirage for many inexperienced investors.”
Something that appears to be real or possible but is not in fact so; a deceptive appearance or hope.
- “Peace in the region remained a distant mirage despite the ongoing diplomatic efforts.”
- “His sense of security was a mere mirage that vanished the moment the company announced the layoffs.”
English Synonyms & Near Equivalents
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “mirage”.
Derived from the French word 'mirage', which comes from the verb 'mirer' (to look at, to behold), originating from the Latin 'mirari' (to wonder at, to admire). It was adopted into English in the early 19th century to describe the optical phenomenon caused by atmospheric refraction.
Think of a 'mirage' as a 'mirror' in the desert; it reflects an image that isn't really there.
Frequently Asked Questions About “mirage”
1. What is the meaning of “mirage” in English?
In English, mirage (noun) is defined as: “An optical illusion caused by atmospheric conditions, especially the appearance of a sheet of water in a desert or on a hot road caused by the refraction of light from the sky by heated air.”.
2. How do you use “mirage” in a sentence?
“The weary traveler mistook the shimmering heat on the horizon for a cooling lake, but it was only a mirage.”
3. What are English synonyms of “mirage”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “mirage”?
Derived from the French word 'mirage', which comes from the verb 'mirer' (to look at, to behold), originating from the Latin 'mirari' (to wonder at, to admire). It was adopted into English in the early 19th century to describe the optical phenomenon caused by atmospheric refraction.
🇬🇧More English Words to English
View all English words →The base unit of time in the International System of Units (SI), equal to the duration of 9,192,631,770 periods of the radiation corresponding to the transition between the two hyperfine levels of the ground state of the caesium-133 atom.
A specific duration of time equal to one hour and forty-six minutes and twelve seconds.
The cardinal number equal to one thousand million (1,000,000,000), expressed in scientific notation as 10^9.
A specific duration of time equivalent to one hour and forty-six minutes.