mirage

noun mi·rage \ mə-ˈräzh \

|Updated on: 8 Jul 2018

Definition of mirage

1 : an optical (see optical 2a) effect that is sometimes seen at sea, in the desert, or over a hot pavement, that may have the appearance of a pool of water or a mirror in which distant objects are seen inverted, and that is caused by the bending or reflection of rays of light by a layer of heated air of varying density

2 : something illusory and unattainable like a mirage

A peaceful solution proved to be a mirage.

See mirage defined for English-language learners

See mirage defined for kids

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Examples of mirage in a Sentence

A peaceful solution proved to be a mirage.

Recent Examples of mirage from the Web

The Folly Cabins appear like a mirage in the desert.

— liz stinson, Curbed, "These solar-powered steel cabins make a perfect desert getaway," 20 June 2018
His face fades in and out of focus and form like a mirage.

— lance esplund, WSJ, "‘Giacometti’ Review: Beyond a Retrospective," 19 June 2018
One reason a separate Palestinian state looks like a distant mirage is the spread of Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territories and population growth within Israeli settlements there.

— rick noack, Washington Post, "Trump’s embassy move has triggered deadly protests. These maps explain why.," 14 May 2018
The Phillies haven’t shown long-term promise like this in May since 2012 (2016 was always a mirage).

— marcus hayes, Philly.com, "Philly sports fans should enjoy the ride | Marcus Hayes," 13 May 2018
Admire the desert's mirage and appreciate the ancient roots of the land, including majestic views over distant sand dunes.

— jim berleley, Town & Country, "How to Plan a Trip to Dubai," 5 Oct. 2016
Weeding at Dixter, like gardening there, involved intense effort, all to achieve the mirage of effortlessness.

— amy merrick, WSJ, "5 Lessons From the Punk Rockers of Gardening," 26 Apr. 2018
But the idea that Iran, which was cooperating with the nuclear deal before the U.S. violated its end of the bargain, will accede to any of these diktats is a mirage, as Pompeo surely knows.

— benjamin hart, Daily Intelligencer, "Pompeo Unveils Hyperaggressive Iran Strategy That Hints at Regime Change," 21 May 2018
The refurbished 1940 diner shines like a mirage from the past amid the pines and hardwoods of the surrounding forest.

— chelsey lewis, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "4 dining destinations in Wisconsin worth a road trip," 16 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mirage.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

mirage and Vision

A mirage is a sort of optical illusion, a reflection of light that can trick the mind into interpreting the sight as an apparently solid thing. It makes sense, therefore, that the word mirage has its roots in the concept of vision. Mirage was borrowed into English at the dawn of the 19th century from the French verb mirer ("to look at"), which also gave us the word mirror. Mirer in turn derives from Latin mirari ("to wonder at"). Mirari is also the ancestor of the English words admire, miracle, and marvel, as well as the rare adjective mirific (meaning "marvelous").

Origin and Etymology of mirage

borrowed from French, from mirer "to look at, gaze at" (going back to Old French, going back to Latin mīrārī "to be surprised, look with wonder at") + -age -age — more at admire

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1800

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of mirage

delusion, illusion, hallucination, mirage mean something that is believed to be true or real but that is actually false or unreal. delusion implies an inability to distinguish between what is real and what only seems to be real, often as the result of a disordered state of mind.

- delusions of persecution

illusion implies a false ascribing of reality based on what one sees or imagines.

- an illusion of safety

hallucination implies impressions that are the product of disordered senses, as because of mental illness or drugs.

- suffered from terrifying hallucinations

mirage in its extended sense applies to an illusory vision, dream, hope, or aim.

- claimed a balanced budget is a mirage

MIRAGE Defined for English Language Learners

mirage

noun

Definition of mirage for English Language Learners

: something (such as a pool of water in the middle of a desert) that is seen and appears to be real but that is not actually there
: something that you hope for or want but that is not possible or real

MIRAGE Defined for Kids

mirage

noun mi·rage \ mə-ˈräzh \

Definition of mirage for Students

: an illusion sometimes seen at sea, in the desert, or over hot pavement that looks like a pool of water or a mirror in which distant objects are glimpsed

Medical Dictionary

mirage

noun mi·rage \ mə-ˈräzh \

medical Definition of mirage

: an optical effect that is sometimes seen at sea, in the desert, or over a hot pavement, that may have the appearance of a pool of water or a mirror in which distant objects are seen inverted, and that is caused by the bending or reflection of rays of light by a layer of heated air of varying density