mirage

noun
UK: /ˈmɪrɑːʒ/
US: /mɪˈrɑːʒ/

  1. An effect, often seen in hot deserts, of something that appears to be there but is not really there.

    1. They thought they saw water, but it was just a mirage.
    2. The travellers, deceived by the heat, chased the tantalizing mirage of an oasis across the dunes.

  2. Something that seems real but is not, often a hope or wish.

    1. Success can be a mirage if you don't define it well.
    2. The promised economic recovery turned out to be a cruel mirage, leaving many families struggling.

Synonyms

fantasy hallucination apparition delusion illusion
mirage intransitive-verb

  1. To appear as a mirage.

    1. The city seemed to mirage on the horizon.
    2. In the shimmering heat, the distant mountains miraged, appearing closer than they were.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "mirage" in English means: An effect, often seen in hot deserts, of something that appears to be there but is not really there., Something that seems real but is not, often a hope or wish..

The phonetic transcription of "mirage" is /ˈmɪrɑːʒ/ in British English and /mɪˈrɑːʒ/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "mirage": fantasy, hallucination, apparition, delusion, illusion.

Example usage of "mirage": "They thought they saw water, but it was just a mirage.". More examples on the page.