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 of reflective

• thoughtful
• melancholy
• contemplative

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

The sneaker also features reflective details that help keep you visible at night or in places with low light. — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 5 Sep. 2026

Construction workers in reflective vests and hardhats formed a semicircle for the cameras. — Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026

August’s number is likewise not reflective of job growth writ large this year, which is tracking at about 80,000 roles per month. — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026

Highly reflective blinds can reduce it by around 45% when fully closed. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1627, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing reflective

• self-reflective

Rhymes for reflective

• advective
• affective
• collective
• connective
• convective
• corrective
• defective
• detective
• directive
• effective
• elective
• infective

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