reflect

verb

re·​flect ri-ˈflekt 

reflected; reflecting; reflects

transitive verb

1

: to block and redirect (light, sound, etc.)

A mirror reflects light.

2

: to give back or exhibit (something or someone) as an image, likeness, or outline : mirror

The clouds were reflected in the water.

3

: to cause (something, such as honor or credit) to be attributed or associated

—used with on or upon

His attitude reflects little credit on his judgment.

4

: to make (something) manifest or apparent : show

The painting reflects her artistic vision.

His restless journeying is reflected in his accent, which hovers somewhere above Boston, New Zealand and Australia …

—Nick Galvin

5

: realize, consider

She was disappointed that the team lost, but reflected that their offense had improved.

"It was an interesting experience," he reflected.

6

: to bend or fold (something) back

The skin of the dorsum of the foot was removed and fascia reflected to expose the tendons …

—J. S. Luckrajh et al.

7

archaic : to turn (something) into or away from a course : deflect

intransitive verb

1

a

: to throw back light or sound

A highly polished mirror reflects better than a dull one.

b

: to be thrown back from a surface

—used of light, sound, etc.

—usually used with off or from

The sunlight reflected off of the river.

Owing to the abundance of light reflected from the white and glittering surface, no shadows were cast on any part …

—Charles Darwin

… the measure of sound reflected from the deep …

—Helen Scales

2

a

: to think quietly and calmly

She sat quietly and reflected for a while.

Take time to reflect before making a decision.

—often used with on or upon

Afterwards, he reflected on the experience.

b

: to express a thought or opinion resulting from reflection (see reflection sense 7)

—often used with on or upon

listened to him reflect on the day's events

Things took a poignant turn, however, when they delivered an emotional speech reflecting on their recent strides toward living authentically as a genderqueer and nonbinary person.

—Curtis M. Wong

3

a

: to cause something or someone to be thought of in a specified way

—usually used with on or upon

In a tourist destination …, anything unsightly, anything unattractive, reflects badly on the whole community.

—Steven Mayer

Nebraska Deputy Education Commissioner Deborah Frison said earning a perfect score reflects well on both the students themselves and their support system.

—Erin Bamer

b

: to tend to bring reproach or discredit

—usually used with on or upon

"… They said that it was sheer rudeness not to ask her, and that it reflected on us all …"

—Lucy Maud Montgomery

Some leaders claim that until they shout, their team doesn't take them seriously, but … this reflects more on the leader than the led.

—Abiola Salami

c

archaic : to have a bearing or influence

This is the atmosphere I have to picture; the condition of the times as it reflected on the growth of the church, and the condition of the church as it reflected on the growth of civilization in this city.

—William Denison Lyman

4

: to become mirrored : to produce a mirrorlike image

—usually used with in or on

The moon reflected on the water.

As you stand below and look up, you see this dramatic pie-slice of sky reflecting in the glassy facades on either side of the notch.

—Steven Litt

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

This reflects the power of culture, which prioritizes collaboration over competition. —Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 15 May 2025

This reflects a broader cultural shift, as customers increasingly recognize the cost of uncertainty. —Peter Follows, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025

Macron is the leader of the only nuclear-armed country in the European Union, and his comments reflect uncertainty among European countries about the U.S.'s nuclear commitment to the Continent when confronted with the threat posed by Russia. —Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025

Talking with some young people helped by the charity in Widnes, in northwest England, in February 2025, William reflected on his own childhood grief. —Simon Perry, People.com, 14 May 2025

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

Rhymes for reflect

• affect
• aspect
• bedecked
• bisect
• collect
• connect
• correct
• deflect
• detect
• direct
• dissect
• effect

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