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
Councilmembers, however, agreed to move forward with a smaller temporary measure that would add reflective pavement markers along the curbs.
—Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 26 Sep. 2025
Layer up with cold-weather gear like jackets and gloves, add reflective accessories for visibility and safety, and mix in weights, bottle carriers and insoles to improve performance.
—Nora Colomer
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Evening pieces incorporated sequins and metallic surfaces, translating the checks from cotton to reflective materials that caught light like the designer’s couture work.
—Ritu Upadhyay, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2025
As the episode draws to a close, Christine takes a drunken Benjamin away as Arthur and Edward turn reflective.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reflective
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Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 26 Sep. 2025
Layer up with cold-weather gear like jackets and gloves, add reflective accessories for visibility and safety, and mix in weights, bottle carriers and insoles to improve performance.
—Nora Colomer
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Evening pieces incorporated sequins and metallic surfaces, translating the checks from cotton to reflective materials that caught light like the designer’s couture work.
—Ritu Upadhyay, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2025
As the episode draws to a close, Christine takes a drunken Benjamin away as Arthur and Edward turn reflective.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 25 Sep. 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 2 Oct. 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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