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car mirror

car mirror

1 1.7
A mirror on a car that lets the driver see behind and to the side
  • noun
: espejo retrovisor
  • The car mirror is essential for avoiding accidents when reversing.

So I flipped down the car mirror and I was like, wow, I literally gave myself like Gray hairs in my brow.

Examples

  • Before changing lanes, always check the car mirror to ensure it's safe to do so.

  • I see my face reflected momentarily in the car mirror.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • So I flipped down the car mirror and I was like, wow, I literally gave myself like Gray hairs in my brow.

  • Dressed in short skirts and packing trendy purses, the ladies make final hair and makeup checks in the car mirrors.

    Blog text (22)
  • He adjusted the car mirror to get a better view of the traffic behind him.

Synonyms

rearview mirror
vscar mirror
  • US
33 2.8

A piece of glass inside a car that lets the driver see behind through the back window

also allows viewing to the side, not only behind the vehicle
rear-view mirror
vscar mirror
21 2.5

A small mirror inside a car that shows the area behind the driver

is broader, covering both behind and side views rather than behind only
outside mirror
vscar mirror
  • US
1 2.1

A piece of glass on the outside of a vehicle that shows the view to the side and behind

is placed inside, letting the driver see rear and side areas from cabin

How Wide

car mirror
1 1.7

Surface Forms

car mirror singular
car mirrors plural

Morphology

car + mirror

The meaning 'a mirror in a car' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'car' and 'mirror' as a straightforward noun–noun compound indicating the mirror associated with a car. This compositional pattern is common in English and other languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Car mirror comes from the simple idea of fixing a mirror to a car so the driver can see what is 'behind' or 'to the side' without turning around. That's why car mirror means 'a mirror in a car that allows the driver to see areas behind or to the side of the vehicle'.