reflective
adjective
re·flec·tive
ri-ˈflek-tiv 
1
: capable of reflecting light, images, or sound waves
2
: marked by reflection : thoughtful, deliberative
3
: of, relating to, or caused by reflection
reflective glare
5
: reflecting something : indicative
how fashion is reflective of society—
Glenda Bailey
Glenda Bailey
reflectively
adverb
reflectiveness
noun
Did you know?
Reflective people are people who reflect on things--that is, look back at things that have been done or said in order to think calmly and quietly about them. Most reflective people would agree with Socrates that (as he told the jury that would soon sentence him to death) "The unexamined life is not worth living". Reflective people tend to be a bit philosophical and intellectual. But almost everyone has reflective moods; gazing into a fireplace or a campfire seems to do it to almost everyone.
Examples of reflective in a Sentence
the reflective glare of the shiny metal
She was in a very reflective mood.
Recent Examples on the Web
Sharon was a bright light in the beauty industry, creating products that made beauty more inclusive and reflective of the world around us.
—Larry Stansbury, Essence, 26 Aug. 2025
In these short wavelengths of light, the object looks like a point, which indicates that it’s largely composed of some type of reflective ices.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 26 Aug. 2025
Bright, reflective patches on the surface turned out to be salt deposits left by briny liquid that once seeped upward.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2025
On his way back to shore, Trotter became reflective about his own end.
—Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reflective
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Larry Stansbury, Essence, 26 Aug. 2025
In these short wavelengths of light, the object looks like a point, which indicates that it’s largely composed of some type of reflective ices.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 26 Aug. 2025
Bright, reflective patches on the surface turned out to be salt deposits left by briny liquid that once seeped upward.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2025
On his way back to shore, Trotter became reflective about his own end.
—Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reflective
Cite this Entry
“Reflective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reflective. Accessed 6 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reflective
adjective
re·flec·tive
ri-ˈflek-tiv
1
: capable of reflecting light, images, or sound waves
2
: marked by reflection : thoughtful
3
: of, relating to, or caused by reflection
reflectively
adverb
reflectiveness
noun
reflectivity
noun
ˌrē-ˌflek-ˈtiv-ət-ē
ri-
Medical Definition
reflective
adjective
re·flec·tive
ri-ˈflek-tiv
1
: capable of reflecting light, images, or sound waves
2
: of, relating to, or caused by reflection
reflective glare of the snow
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