mirror

[ mir-er ]

See synonyms for: mirror mirrored mirroring mirrors on Thesaurus.com

noun

a reflecting surface, originally of polished metal but now usually of glass with a silvery, metallic, or amalgam backing.
such a surface set into a frame, attached to a handle, etc., for use in viewing oneself or as an ornament.

any reflecting surface, as the surface of calm water under certain lighting conditions.
Optics. a surface that is either plane, concave, or convex and that reflects rays of light.
something that gives a minutely faithful representation, image, or idea of something else: Gershwin's music was a mirror of its time.
a pattern for imitation; exemplar: a man who was the mirror of fashion.
a glass, crystal, or the like, used by magicians, diviners, etc.

verb (used with object)

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

to mimic or imitate (something) accurately.
to be or give a faithful representation, image, or idea of: Her views on politics mirror mine completely.

adjective

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 about mirror

with mirrors, by or as if by magic.

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; see mirage,see -ator

Other words for mirror

6	model, epitome, paradigm

See synonyms for mirror on Thesaurus.com

Other words from mirror

mir·ror·like, adjective
un·mir·rored, adjective

Words that may be confused with mirror

mere, mirror

Words Nearby mirror

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use mirror in a sentence

After a while she couldn't look herself in the mirror because no matter what she did, the President would undermine it and make Americans less safe.
A devastating picture of Trump’s coronavirus response — from a firsthand witness | Aaron Blake | September 17, 2020 | Washington Post
My thoughts on Malcolm X mirrored those of Laurence Fishburne.
How Laurence Fishburne Gave Voice To ‘The Autobiography Of Malcolm X’ | Joi-Marie McKenzie | September 17, 2020 | Essence.com
If you look at yourself from the side in a full-length mirror, check out how much your lower back curves.
The best thing for back pain is actually more movement | Sara Chodosh | September 16, 2020 | Popular-Science
The MBA strategy has worked so well that it’s been awarded a $450,000 grant from the Kaufman Foundation to build a playbook so other cities can replicate its results, with 20 different cities currently mirroring the Cincinnati model.
Cincinnati’s Secret Sauce to Help Minority Businesses Succeed | Nick Fouriezos | September 15, 2020 | Ozy
Seeing more severe disease in younger adults with underlying conditions mirrors findings from larger populations that include people from other age groups, says Aaron Milstone, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Johns Hopkins University.
A sobering breakdown of severe COVID-19 cases shows young adults can’t dismiss it | Erin Garcia de Jesus | September 9, 2020 | Science News

With the midterm elections safely in the rearview mirror, Obama is on legacy patrol.
Obama’s One Hand Clap With Castro | Doug McIntyre | December 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
In it, he finds a large mirror, and when he looks into the mirror, he sees his parents standing behind him.
During Advent, Lots of Waiting, But Not Enough Hope | Gene Robinson | December 7, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
He runs to find his friend Ron to show him his parents in the mirror.
During Advent, Lots of Waiting, But Not Enough Hope | Gene Robinson | December 7, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
But when Ron looks into the mirror, he sees himself being carried on the shoulders of his teammates, the hero who won the game.
During Advent, Lots of Waiting, But Not Enough Hope | Gene Robinson | December 7, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
But she is, in her way, holding a mirror up to nature, and objects in this mirror may be closer than they appear.
Is Bigger Better for St. Vincent? | David Yaffe | December 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
A child begins to make acquaintance with the images of things when set before a mirror.
Children's Ways | James Sully
The lady of the roses went to the mirror over the untidy mantel piece, and looked at herself, as she answered.
Rosemary in Search of a Father | C. N. Williamson
A mirror, turned towards an open door, disclosed the lovelorn Hephzibah in the next room.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3) | Charles James Wills
She turned her gaze away from the mirror, and saw Sarah's grey head inadvertently nodding, as it always nodded.
Hilda Lessways | Arnold Bennett
From his waistcoat pocket he took a little silver convex mirror and surveyed himself critically therein.
Dope | Sax Rohmer

British Dictionary definitions for mirror

mirror

/ (ˈmɪrə) /

noun

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
such a reflecting surface mounted in a frame

any reflecting surface
a thing that reflects or depicts something else: the press is a mirror of public opinion

verb

(tr) to reflect, represent, or depict faithfully: he mirrors his teacher's ideals

Origin of mirror

C13: from Old French from mirer to look at, from Latin mīrārī to wonder at

Derived forms of mirror

mirror-like, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for mirror

mirror

[ mĭr′ər ]

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. See more at reflection.

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