Mirage/məˈrɑːʒ/ Definition 1 of 2Pro Tip 1/3Visual Trick A mirage makes you believe something is there when it's actually not. Under the scorching sun, the highway seemed wet, but it was a mirage. Pro Tip 2/3Hot Conditions Mirages are common in hot places where light bends easily. Wandering in the desert, she saw a mirage of water. Pro Tip 3/3Not a Dream Remember a mirage is a visual phenomenon, not a figment of imagination. He rubbed his eyes, unsure if the city skyline was a mirage.