mirage: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, literary
Quick answer
What does “mirage” mean?
An optical illusion in which light refracted through hot air creates an image of something, especially water, that is not actually there.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An optical illusion in which light refracted through hot air creates an image of something, especially water, that is not actually there.
Something that appears real, desirable, or possible but is, in fact, not real or attainable; a false hope, goal, or illusion.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The metaphorical use is equally prevalent in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical connotations of false hope or illusion in both dialects.
Frequency
Similar frequency. Slightly more likely to appear in literary or formal contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “mirage” in a Sentence
Something is a mirage.The promise of X proved to be a mirage.They were chasing the mirage of X.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mirage” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Rare/poetic) The heat miraged the distant tarmac, making it shimmer.
American English
- (Rare/poetic) The highway miraged in the desert sun, looking like a lake.
adjective
British English
- (Not standard) The mirage-like effect was disorienting.
American English
- (Not standard) They pursued mirage goals for years.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe unattainable financial targets or illusory market recoveries. (e.g., 'The projected profits turned out to be a mirage.')
Academic
Used in literature, philosophy, and social sciences to discuss false perceptions, ideologies, or unattainable ideals.
Everyday
Used metaphorically for broken promises or false hopes. (e.g., 'Their reconciliation was just a mirage.')
Technical
Primarily in optics, meteorology, and physics to describe the specific light refraction phenomenon.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mirage”
- Confusing with 'mirage' as a verb (it is almost exclusively a noun). Incorrect: 'He miraged the water.' Correct: 'He saw a mirage of water.'
- Overusing the literal meaning when the metaphorical is intended.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A mirage is a real optical phenomenon caused by light refraction, visible to anyone in the right conditions. A hallucination is a false perception originating in the mind, not from external light.
It is extremely rare and considered non-standard or poetic. The standard use is as a noun.
The metaphorical use, to describe something that is hoped for or promised but is illusory and unattainable.
Not usually. It implies a natural or circumstantial illusion. The deception is in the perception, not necessarily in the intent of a person (though one can deliberately create a 'mirage' of something, like success).
An optical illusion in which light refracted through hot air creates an image of something, especially water, that is not actually there.
Mirage is usually formal, literary in register.
Mirage: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɪrɑːʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /məˈrɑːʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “chasing a mirage”
- “a mirage on the horizon”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine being in a MIRROR-age where everything you see is a reflection, not reality. A mirage is like a mirror image that isn't really there.
Conceptual Metaphor
HOPE/SUCCESS IS A VISIBLE BUT UNREACHABLE OBJECT (e.g., 'The goal remained a shimmering mirage on the horizon.')
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'mirage' used MOST metaphorically?