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
Kirilenko described her holding cell inside 26 Federal Plaza as a cold, cement room where women slept on benches or the floor, with just reflective blankets to keep them warm.
—Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 9 Aug. 2025
But behind the scenes, producers say the making of Chaotic was reflective of its title, mostly because the network, UPN, had purchased all of Spears’s footage unseen and then looked to producers to craft a multi-episode series.
—Krystie Lee Yandoli, Glamour, 7 Aug. 2025
The violent assault of a California prison lieutenant by his subordinates last year is reflective of a broader climate that tolerates and normalizes abuse among the state’s correctional staff, a recent lawsuit against the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation alleges.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 4 Aug. 2025
When MSRPs go higher (reflective of costs) and average transaction prices go lower (reflective of market), profits take a hit.
—Jamie L. Lareau, Freep.com, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reflective
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Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 9 Aug. 2025
But behind the scenes, producers say the making of Chaotic was reflective of its title, mostly because the network, UPN, had purchased all of Spears’s footage unseen and then looked to producers to craft a multi-episode series.
—Krystie Lee Yandoli, Glamour, 7 Aug. 2025
The violent assault of a California prison lieutenant by his subordinates last year is reflective of a broader climate that tolerates and normalizes abuse among the state’s correctional staff, a recent lawsuit against the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation alleges.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 4 Aug. 2025
When MSRPs go higher (reflective of costs) and average transaction prices go lower (reflective of market), profits take a hit.
—Jamie L. Lareau, Freep.com, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reflective
Cite this Entry
“Reflective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reflective. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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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