mirage
UK: ˈmɪrɑːʒ | US: məˈrɑːʒ
n. an optical illusion caused by atmospheric conditions, especially the appearance of a sheet of water in a desert or on a hot road
n. something that appears real or possible but is not
The word mirage entered English in the early 19th century from French, where it originally referred to deceptive appearances. Its Latin root mirari (to wonder) reflects the awe and confusion caused by such illusions. The suffix -age transforms the verb into a noun, emphasizing the phenomenon’s deceptive nature. The word’s evolution mirrors humanity’s fascination with visual trickery, from desert travelers to modern metaphors for unattainable dreams.
The exhausted hiker saw a mirage of a lake in the desert.
Her dream of instant wealth turned out to be a mirage.
Heat waves created a mirage on the highway, making the road appear wet.
The politician’s promises were just a mirage, never materializing.
Scientists study mirages to understand atmospheric refraction.