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

4

: reflexive sense 3

5

: reflecting something : indicative

how fashion is reflective of society

—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.

Synonyms

• broody
• cogitative
• contemplative
• meditative
• melancholy
• musing
• pensive
• ruminant
• ruminative
• thoughtful

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

This data point is reflective of American's desire to stay cool during increasingly hot and brutal summers. —Jennifer Borresen, USA TODAY, 12 July 2024

Ahead of the event, TM Roh — Samsung’s president and head of mobile experience — told CNN the new price is reflective of component costs but could come down more in the future. —Samantha Murphy Kelly, CNN, 10 July 2024

The couple, who met in 2012 while teaching architecture at the University of Toronto, have always placed research at the core of their practice—whether in their recent exhibition design for Rice University’s Moody Center for the Arts or their reflective pavilion at the Centre Pompidou-Metz. —Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 9 July 2024

This Breezy Trainer Jacket is an awesome option — it’s designed for running or hiking, with water-repellent fabric and reflective features. —Kristine Thomason, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1627, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing reflective

• self-reflective

Kids 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

ˌrē-ˌflek-ˈtiv-ət-ē

ri-

noun

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