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Definition of magnifying glass
magnifying glass
Plural:magnifying glasses
magnifying glass Lexical Profile
CEFR
B1
Grade
3
Tier
2
Usage
Top 10k
• noun
1
A convex lens, typically mounted in a frame with a handle, used to produce a visually enlarged image of a small object.
Example
"The jeweler used a magnifying glass to inspect the clarity of the diamond."
Word Origin & Etymology
A compound noun formed from the present participle of 'magnify' (from Latin 'magnificare', to make much of) and 'glass' (from Old English 'glæs'). First recorded in use during the 17th century alongside the development of optical sciences.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Magnifying glass. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 15, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/magnifying glass