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 United Nations itself, the efforts of its constituent members, the ethos of collective action it is supposed to inculcate — all of this reflects its central role as a linchpin in a multilateral world order, built on institutions set up in the wake of World War II. —Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 19 Sep. 2023

Grammy-winning songstress Sheryl Crow reflected on her decision to relocate from Hollywood to Nashville during her performance at Sea. —Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2023

To some extent, this success reflects the growth of the private equity markets. —Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Sep. 2023

That kind of growth reflects a management that’s still finding ways to improve the customer experience, including improvements to digital ordering as well as new menu items that drive more store traffic. —The Motley Fool, Dallas News, 17 Sep. 2023

In an introduction to an accompanying book, the Atlantic contributing writer Imani Perry reflects on the 21st-century photographers who capture the region’s distinctive landscapes with compositions that evoke a 19th-century sense of the sublime. —Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2023

The pop star has made a career turning her personal ups and downs into sing-along anthems that reflect the overwhelming feelings that can bubble up during the final years of adolescence. —Rachel Desantis, Peoplemag, 17 Sep. 2023

Patrol officers, said Lovell, should embrace the subjective perspective of victims and use descriptive words reflecting the reality of rape. —cleveland, 17 Sep. 2023

Posters pinned to walls reflect our pie-in-the-sky manifestations of silly teenage hopes about being with an idol. —Clover Hope, Pitchfork, 6 Sep. 2023

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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

• 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