mirror

American  

[mir-er] / ˈmɪr ər /

noun

1. a reflecting surface, originally of polished metal but now usually of glass with a silvery, metallic, or amalgam backing.

2. such a surface set into a frame, attached to a handle, etc., for use in viewing oneself or as an ornament.

3. any reflecting surface, as the surface of calm water under certain lighting conditions.

4. Optics. a surface that is either plane, concave, or convex and that reflects rays of light.

5. something that gives a minutely faithful representation, image, or idea of something else.

   Gershwin's music was a mirror of its time.

6. a pattern for imitation; exemplar.

   a man who was the mirror of fashion.

   Synonyms:

   paradigm, epitome, model

7. a glass, crystal, or the like, used by magicians, diviners, etc.

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verb (used with object)

1. to reflect in or as if in a mirror.

2. to reflect as a mirror does.

3. to mimic or imitate (something) accurately.

4. to be or give a faithful representation, image, or idea of.

   Her views on politics mirror mine completely.

adjective

1. Music. (of a canon or fugue) capable of being played in retrograde or in inversion, as though read in a mirror placed beside or below the music.

idioms

1. with mirrors, by or as if by magic.

mirror British  

/ ˈmɪrə /

noun

1. a surface, such as polished metal or glass coated with a metal film, that reflects light without diffusion and produces an image of an object placed in front of it

2. such a reflecting surface mounted in a frame

3. any reflecting surface

4. a thing that reflects or depicts something else

   the press is a mirror of public opinion

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verb

1. (tr) to reflect, represent, or depict faithfully

   he mirrors his teacher's ideals

mirror Scientific  

/ mĭr′ər /

1. An object that causes light or other radiation to be reflected from its surface, with little or no diffusion. Common mirrors consist of a thin sheet or film of metal, such as silver, behind or covering a glass pane. Mirrors are used extensively in telescopes, microscopes, lasers, fiber optics, measuring instruments, and many other devices.

2. See more at reflection

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Other Word Forms

• mirror-like adjective
• mirrorlike adjective
• unmirrored adjective

Etymology

Origin of mirror

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English mirour, from Old French mireo(u)r, equivalent to mir(er) “to look at” + -eo(u)r, from Latin -ātor, noun suffix of agency; mirage, -ator

Example Sentences

When I look in the mirror, I don’t see myself as a 64-year-old dude.

From Los Angeles Times

"We will look to the mirror and know the position we are in, and nobody from the squad wants to play second division next season," said West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek.

From BBC

With the latest achievement in the rearview mirror, D-Wave is looking ahead to building bigger, more complex machines.

From Barron's

Over time, the mice experienced a steady decline in Purkinje cells, mirroring what is seen in human MS.

From Science Daily

Student Jose Quinonez, 32, reflected in a side view mirror, participates in the Auto Technician training program at Los Angeles Trade Technical College in downtown Los Angeles on December 11, 2025.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• depict
• echo
• embody
• epitomize
• exemplify
• follow
• illustrate
• imitate
• mimic
• personify
• represent
• symbolize
• typify