mirror
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.
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.
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
1Other words for mirror
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 PostMy 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.comIf 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-ScienceThe 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 | OzySeeing 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.
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 BEASTHe 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 BEASTBut 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 BEASTBut she is, in her way, holding a mirror up to nature, and objects in this mirror may be closer than they appear.
A child begins to make acquaintance with the images of things when set before a mirror.
Children's Ways | James SullyThe 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. WilliamsonA mirror, turned towards an open door, disclosed the lovelorn Hephzibah in the next room.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3) | Charles James WillsShe turned her gaze away from the mirror, and saw Sarah's grey head inadvertently nodding, as it always nodded.
Hilda Lessways | Arnold BennettFrom his waistcoat pocket he took a little silver convex mirror and surveyed himself critically therein.
Dope | Sax Rohmer
British Dictionary definitions for mirror
/ (ˈmɪrə) /
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
(tr) to reflect, represent, or depict faithfully: he mirrors his teacher's ideals
Origin of mirror
1Derived 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
[ 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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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