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
When the organization signed rapper Jay-Z’s Roc Nation in 2019, the performances narrowed further, centering around hip-hop while shunting aside rock, country, pop and other music genres that are also reflective of America’s melting pot.
—Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2025
The finale might be reflective of LaBruce’s own skepticism, specifically his disdain for large-scale movements that advocate for a tidy future and his preference for the ideas of French philosopher and poet Jean Genet.
—P.e. Moskowitz, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2025
Remember, stocks are reflective of consumer confidence.
—Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
The albums created during or about pandemic lockdowns were often eerily reflective, like Paramore’s This Is Why, or hedonistic dreamscapes, like Beyoncé’s Renaissance.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reflective
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Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2025
The finale might be reflective of LaBruce’s own skepticism, specifically his disdain for large-scale movements that advocate for a tidy future and his preference for the ideas of French philosopher and poet Jean Genet.
—P.e. Moskowitz, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2025
Remember, stocks are reflective of consumer confidence.
—Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
The albums created during or about pandemic lockdowns were often eerily reflective, like Paramore’s This Is Why, or hedonistic dreamscapes, like Beyoncé’s Renaissance.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 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 13 Mar. 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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