What does mirror mean?
A mirror is a surface that reflects light and produces an image of the scene before it. The most familiar form is a sheet of glass backed by a reflective coating, although polished metals and other surfaces can serve the same purpose. By extension, the word can refer to a reflection itself or to a person or thing that closely resembles another. As a verb, mirror means to represent, correspond to, or imitate something closely: a new product may mirror an older one in appearance, or two reports may mirror each other in their account of an event. The verb is transitive and is commonly used in professional and descriptive contexts, such as mirroring a design, mirroring someone’s movements, or figures that mirror the previous year. The word is familiar in both British and American English and carries no strong regional or register restrictions. Its metaphorical uses are especially useful because they connect the physical act of producing a reflection with ideas of accurate representation, correspondence, and imitation.
A surface that reflects light and forms a virtual image of the object or person in front of it; also, the image or person produced by such a reflection.
"A crack ran across the antique mirror."
The word can denote either the physical surface or the image seen in it. In the latter sense, it is often used in the phrase mirror image.
To represent, correspond to, or imitate something closely.
"The revised report mirrors many of the recommendations in the original."
Usually transitive; the subject of the verb corresponds closely to the person, thing, or action named by its object.
The regular plural applies to the noun. The verb is normally used with an object and does not take a plural form.
"The mirrors in the hallway made the room seem larger."
Before polished glass became widely affordable, people still saw their reflections in polished metal, clear water, and other reflective surfaces.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mirror come from?
The word entered Middle English through Old French mireoir, ultimately derived from Latin speculum, meaning a mirror or reflective instrument. The modern English form developed from the older Middle English noun mirour. The Latin root also underlies forms such as speculate and speculation, although these words now have largely unrelated meanings connected with looking, observing, or thinking.
Related word forms
How mirror is actually used
As a noun, the word commonly denotes the reflective surface itself, though it can also mean the image seen in it. As a transitive verb, it is used especially for close correspondence, faithful representation, or imitation.