Mirage
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3
Visual 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 2/3
Hot Conditions
Mirages are common in hot places where light bends easily. Wandering in the desert, she saw a mirage of water.
Pro Tip 3/3
Not 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.