reflect

verb

re·​flect ri-ˈflekt 

reflected; reflecting; reflects

transitive verb

1

: to prevent passage of and cause to change direction

a mirror reflects light

2

: to give back or exhibit as an image, likeness, or outline : mirror

the clouds were reflected in the water

3

: to bring or cast as a result

his attitude reflects little credit on his judgment

4

: to make manifest or apparent : show

the painting reflects his artistic vision

the pulse reflects the condition of the heart

5

: realize, consider

6

: to bend or fold back

7

archaic : to turn into or away from a course : deflect

intransitive verb

1

: to throw back light or sound

2

a

: to think quietly and calmly

b

: to express a thought or opinion resulting from reflection

3

a

: to tend to bring reproach or discredit

an investigation that reflects on all the members of the department

b

: to bring about a specified appearance or characterization

an act which reflects well on her

c

: to have a bearing or influence

Synonyms

• image
• mirror

Choose the Right Synonym for reflect

think, cogitate, reflect, reason, speculate, deliberate mean to use one's powers of conception, judgment, or inference.

think is general and may apply to any mental activity, but used alone often suggests attainment of clear ideas or conclusions.

teaches students how to think

cogitate implies deep or intent thinking.

cogitated on the mysteries of nature

reflect suggests unhurried consideration of something recalled to the mind.

reflecting on fifty years of married life

reason stresses consecutive logical thinking.

able to reason brilliantly in debate

speculate implies reasoning about things theoretical or problematic.

speculated on the fate of the lost explorers

deliberate suggests slow or careful reasoning before forming an opinion or reaching a conclusion or decision.

the jury deliberated for five hours

Examples of reflect in a Sentence

The old church is reflected in the glass exterior of the skyscraper.

Her book clearly reflects her beliefs.

Where you learned a language is reflected in your accent.

Recent Examples on the Web

The ratings reflect the conventional wisdom that Casey is better positioned than Biden to do well in Pennsylvania. —Brianne Pfannenstiel, USA TODAY, 24 Apr. 2024

Having lots of billboard ads doesn’t necessarily reflect the quality of the lawyer. —Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024

Their Spring/Summer 2024 collections reflect their take on the wedge shoe style. —Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 24 Apr. 2024

The views and opinions expressed by podcast speakers and guests are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions of Deloitte or its personnel. —Fortune Editors, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2024

The Detroit icon reflects on his trials and tribulations as a father and the relationship issues with Hailie’s mother, Kim, in a promise to be better amid their humble beginnings. —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 24 Apr. 2024

Today, now 80, his art reflects his longheld anti-war stance. —Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2024

That’s reflected in today’s Bentley, too, with around a third of sales in 2022 being its Continental and Continental GT, a model name that has been around at Bentley since 1952. —Bob Sorokanich, Robb Report, 24 Apr. 2024

That's lower than earlier estimates but reflects more recent denominational reports. —CBS News, 23 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin reflectere to bend back, from re- + flectere to bend

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 7

Phrases Containing reflect

• reflect credit on

Kids Definition

reflect

verb

re·​flect ri-ˈflekt 

1

: to bend or throw back waves of light, sound, or heat

a polished surface reflects light

2

: to give back an image or likeness of as if by a mirror

3

: to bring as a result

4

: to cast disapproval or blame

our bad conduct reflects upon our training

5

: to think seriously and carefully : meditate

Medical Definition

reflect

transitive verb

re·​flect ri-ˈflekt 

1

: to bend or fold back : impart a backward curve, bend, or fold to

2

: to push or lay aside (as tissue or an organ) during surgery in order to gain access to the part to be operated on

the pleura were reflected and later closed over the stump

intransitive verb

: to throw back light or sound : return rays, beams, or waves