How to pronounce mirror
Say it like MIR-er. Mirror has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MIR).
- MIR
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Mirror pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MIRSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of mirror
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: MIR-uh.
What does mirror mean?
- A smooth surface, usually made of glass with reflective material painted on the underside, that reflects light so as to give an image of what is in front of it.“I had a look in the mirror to see if the blood had come off my face.”
- An object, person, or event that reflects or gives a picture of another.“His story is a mirror into the life of orphans growing up.”
- A mirror carp.
- To reflect, as in a mirror.
- To act as a reflection of, either by being identical to, or by being identical but reversed.“The placement of the paintings mirrored the positions of the windows on the opposite wall.”
- Of an event, activity, behavior, to be identical to; to be a copy of; to imitate closely.“He tried to mirror Elvis's life by copying his fashion and mannerisms.”
Where does mirror come from?
From Middle English mirour, from Old French mireor (“mirror”, literally “looker, watcher”), from mirer (“look at”), from Latin mīror (“wonder at”), from mīrus (“wonderful”), from Proto-Indo-European *smey- (“to laugh, to be glad”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with mirror
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of mirror.
Questions about saying mirror
How do you pronounce mirror?
Say MIR-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈmɪrɚ/. In British English it is /ˈmɪrə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in mirror?
Mirror has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MIR). Broken into parts: MIR · er.
Is mirror pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈmɪrə/ (MIR-uh).