mirage

Pronunciation: /mɪˈɹɑːʒ/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun an optical illusion in which atmospheric refraction by a layer of hot air distorts or inverts reflections of distant objects
  2. noun something illusory and unattainable

Etymology

An unadapted borrowing from French mirage c. 1812.

In classic literature

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
optical illusion
Narrower (hyponyms)
fata morgana

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