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
Organizers noted the outdoor setting would make the space accessible and reflective for residents and visitors alike.
—Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2026
This reflective purple, green, and orange color palette has an intergalactic twist that only makes things more mesmerizing.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 27 Feb. 2026
Jacobs launched Marc by Marc Jacobs in 2001, cementing his eventual status as a fashion mogul — and, at moments throughout his career, as a kind of enfant terrible who, as it’s shown in this documentary, has cooled down a bit, more settled and reflective in his late career.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 26 Feb. 2026
The same source offered that the huge deficit was reflective of neither the club’s underlying operating performance nor how finances will look in the current and future seasons.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reflective
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Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2026
This reflective purple, green, and orange color palette has an intergalactic twist that only makes things more mesmerizing.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 27 Feb. 2026
Jacobs launched Marc by Marc Jacobs in 2001, cementing his eventual status as a fashion mogul — and, at moments throughout his career, as a kind of enfant terrible who, as it’s shown in this documentary, has cooled down a bit, more settled and reflective in his late career.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 26 Feb. 2026
The same source offered that the huge deficit was reflective of neither the club’s underlying operating performance nor how finances will look in the current and future seasons.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reflective
Cite this Entry
“Reflective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reflective. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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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