reflect
Americanverb (used with object)
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to cast back (light, heat, sound, etc.) from a surface.
The mirror reflected the light onto the wall.
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to give back or show an image of; mirror.
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(of an act or its result) to serve to cast or bring (credit, discredit, etc.) on its performer.
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to reproduce; show.
followers reflecting the views of the leader.
- Synonyms:
- manifest
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to throw or cast back; cause to return or rebound.
Her bitterness reflects gloom on all her family.
verb (used without object)
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to be turned or cast back, as light.
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to cast back light, heat, etc.
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to be reflected or mirrored.
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to give back or show an image.
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to think, ponder, or meditate.
to reflect on one's virtues and faults.
- Synonyms:
- contemplate, cogitate, consider, muse, deliberate, ruminate, ponder, meditate, think
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to serve or tend to bring reproach or discredit by association.
His crimes reflected on the whole community.
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to serve to give a particular aspect or impression.
The test reflects well on your abilities.
verb
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to undergo or cause to undergo a process in which light, other electromagnetic radiation, sound, particles, etc, are thrown back after impinging on a surface
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(of a mirror, etc) to form an image of (something) by reflection
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(tr) to show or express
his tactics reflect his desire for power
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(tr) to bring as a consequence
the success of the project reflected great credit on all the staff
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(intr; foll by on or upon) to cause to be regarded in a specified way
her behaviour reflects well on her
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(intr; foll by on or upon) to cast dishonour, discredit, etc (on)
his conduct reflects on his parents
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to think, meditate, or ponder
Related Words
See study.
Other Word Forms
- interreflect verb
- misreflect verb
- nonreflected adjective
- reflectedly adverb
- reflectedness noun
- reflectibility noun
- reflectible adjective
- well-reflected adjective
Etymology
Origin of reflect
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English reflecten, from Latin reflectere “to bend back,” equivalent to re- re- + flectere “to bend”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Clothing and footwear contributed to price rises and was offset by lower fuel prices, but the CPI figure for February does not reflect the Iran war, which is predicted to push fuel prices up.
From BBC
The FAI heard that in the aftermath of the death the care home began placing different types of meals on different coloured plates, with the colour coding reflected on the meal menu sheet.
From BBC
Among the 2,000 guests will be nurses and carers from Canterbury, invited to reflect the new archbishop's long career as a nurse.
From BBC
At even later stages, the atoms form more stretched and distorted shapes, reflecting a swinging, roaming motion.
From Science Daily
The BDA has long argued it's too complicated and does not fairly reflect the cost of treating patients, particularly those with high needs.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
