mirror

noun mir·ror \ ˈmir-ər , mi-rər \

Updated on: 9 May 2018

Definition of mirror

1 : a polished or smooth surface (as of glass) that forms images by reflection

She looked at herself in the mirror.

2 a : something that gives a true representation

the press as a mirror of public opinion
—C. G. Bowers

b : an exemplary model

She is the mirror of feminine beauty.

—

mirrored

play \-(r)ərd, -(r)əd\ adjective

—

mirrorlike

play \-ˌlīk\ adjective

See mirror defined for English-language learners

See mirror defined for kids

Examples of mirror in a Sentence

breaking a mirror is supposed to bring seven years of bad luck

Recent Examples of mirror from the Web

Until now, The Expanse has held a mirror up to where our violent base tendencies lead us.

— andrew liptak, The Verge, "The Expanse has threatened nuclear war for two nail-biting seasons — now, it’s pushing the button," 4 May 2018
If prison holds a dark mirror to society — reflecting our fissures and anxieties and our blinkered faith in institutional bureaucracy — then prison literature offers one way to restore a human element to the system.

— New York Times, "8 New Books We Recommend This Week," 3 May 2018
The show premiered in 2011 and for several years the story lines held up a mirror to the terrorist threat in the post-9/11 world.

— michael s. rosenwald, Washington Post, "Before ‘The Americans’ and ‘Homeland,’ Russian TV spies were simple villains. No more.," 2 May 2018
The show premiered in 2011 and for several years the story lines held up a mirror to the terrorist threat in the post-9/11 world.

— michael s. rosenwald, chicagotribune.com, "Before 'The Americans' and 'Homeland,' Russian TV spies were simple villains, but no more," 2 May 2018
If reporters want to know why millions of Americans believe him, look in the mirror of Saturday night.

— the editorial board, WSJ, "The Wolf Who Came as a Wolf," 29 Apr. 2018
The Mars Room’’ takes up big ideas, holding a mirror up to American culture and revealing the tragic truth of a failed justice system, as well as a casual refusal to do enough about it.

— caroline leavitt, BostonGlobe.com, "Rachel Kushner offers a version of this American life," 27 Apr. 2018
Holding up the mirror to what one does is often hard to do.

— jim chilton, sandiegouniontribune.com, "8 essentials often ignored by entrepreneaurs," 16 Apr. 2018
Andy Warhol held a mirror to American consumerism, initiating a cultural phenomenon of finding beauty in the everyday.

— sam spengler, Smithsonian, "These Signature Artifacts Embody the Giving Spirt of Artist-Philanthropists," 27 Mar. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of mirror

Middle English mirour "object with a reflective surface, reflection, model of conduct," borrowed from Anglo-French mirur, mireour, from mirer "to look at" (going back to Latin mīrārī "to be surprised, look with wonder at") + -ur, -eour ¹-or — more at admire

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year