reflective

adjective re·flec·tive \ ri-ˈflek-tiv \

|Updated on: 14 Jun 2018

Examples: reflective in a Sentence

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

Definition of reflective

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 3

5 : reflecting something : indicative

how fashion is reflective of society
—Glenda Bailey

—

reflectively

adverb

—

reflectiveness

noun

—

reflectivity

noun

See reflective defined for English-language learners

See reflective defined for kids

Examples of reflective in a Sentence

the reflective glare of the shiny metal
She was in a very reflective mood.

Recent Examples of reflective from the Web

Simon was cheery and reflective throughout, recounting his beginnings as a 12-year-old songwriter and tracing the evolution of his composing through the decades.

— brian mccollum, Detroit Free Press, "Paul Simon shines with musical vitality as he says goodbye at DTE," 11 June 2018
In 2015, researchers found that another skink species, Tiliqua gigas, had a UV-reflective tongue.

— shane black, National Geographic, "This Lizard Has a Blue, Ultraviolet Tongue—Here’s Why," 8 June 2018
Even with a reflective bejeweled mask covering half of Beyoncé’s face, there was no mistaking her for anyone else.

— janelle okwodu, Vogue, "Of Course Beyoncé’s On the Run II Costumes Are Flawless," 6 June 2018
Shirley Manson is feeling reflective these days about Garbage’s 1998 sophomore LP, Version 2.0.

— robbie daw, Billboard, "Shirley Manson Looks Back On 20 Years of Garbage's 'Sci-Fi Pop' Odyssey, 'Version 2.0'," 29 May 2018
Other additions follow the same line of thinking: a pocket lined with a microfiber that wipes phones clean, and a reflective 3M strip that reveals itself when the jeans are cuffed.

— cam wolf, GQ, "3x1 Made Jeans for Our Candy-Ass 21st-Century Lifestyle," 25 May 2018
Its screen is designed for a variety of light conditions, with its non-reflective coating helping avoid a glare in sunlight and its built-in front light helping avoid tiring your eyes in the dark.

— alexandria haslam, PCWorld, "Our favorite Kindle reader, the Paperwhite, is on sale for 25 percent off today," 23 May 2018
In April, Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson said the incident was not reflective of the brand's mission and values.

— dianna m. náñez, azcentral, "New Starbucks open-bathroom policy draws mixed reviews from Arizona customers," 19 May 2018
Lisa Schroeder, the owner of Mother's Bistro on Stark, told the commissioners Monday the survey results are not reflective of neighborhood sentiment.

— andrew theen, OregonLive.com, "Stark to become Harvey Milk Street? Plan heads to City Council for OK," 16 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'reflective.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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.