reflect
Americanverb (used with object)
-
reflects,
present (3rd person singular)
-
reflected,
past participle, past
-
reflecting
present participle
-
to cast back (light, heat, sound, etc.) from a surface.
The mirror reflected the light onto the wall.
-
to give back or show an image of; mirror.
-
(of an act or its result) to serve to cast or bring (credit, discredit, etc.) on its performer.
-
to reproduce; show.
followers reflecting the views of the leader.
- Synonyms:
- manifest
-
to throw or cast back; cause to return or rebound.
Her bitterness reflects gloom on all her family.
verb (used without object)
-
reflects,
present (3rd person singular)
-
reflected,
past participle, past
-
reflecting
present participle
-
to be turned or cast back, as light.
-
to cast back light, heat, etc.
-
to be reflected or mirrored.
-
to give back or show an image.
-
to think, ponder, or meditate.
to reflect on one's virtues and faults.
- Synonyms:
- contemplate, cogitate, consider, muse, deliberate, ruminate, ponder, meditate, think
-
to serve or tend to bring reproach or discredit by association.
His crimes reflected on the whole community.
-
to serve to give a particular aspect or impression.
The test reflects well on your abilities.
verb
-
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
-
(of a mirror, etc) to form an image of (something) by reflection
-
(tr) to show or express
his tactics reflect his desire for power
-
(tr) to bring as a consequence
the success of the project reflected great credit on all the staff
-
(intr; foll by on or upon) to cause to be regarded in a specified way
her behaviour reflects well on her
-
(intr; foll by on or upon) to cast dishonour, discredit, etc (on)
his conduct reflects on his parents
-
to think, meditate, or ponder
Synonym Usage
See study.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
reflectednessnoun
-
reflectibilitynoun
-
interreflectverb
-
misreflectverb
-
nonreflectedadjective
-
reflectibleadjective
-
well-reflectedadjective
-
reflectedlyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
reflectsimple
-
reflectssimple
-
have reflectedperfect
-
has reflectedperfect
-
am reflectingprogressive
-
are reflectingprogressive
-
is reflectingprogressive
-
have been reflectingperfect progressive
-
has been reflectingperfect progressive
Past
-
reflectedsimple
-
had reflectedperfect
-
was reflectingprogressive
-
were reflectingprogressive
-
had been reflectingperfect progressive
Future
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”
Explanation
Something that reflects comes back to you. If you look in a mirror, you will see your reflected image. If you reflect on your past experiences, you look at them once again thoughtfully. Reflect also means to give evidence of the character or quality of something. Most parents want their children to reflect their own strengths by emulating their behavior. A set of telling statistics could reflect the buying trends in an economic cycle. Reflecting can mean seeing something original in another form or image.
Vocabulary lists containing reflect
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The SAT: Language of the Test, List 3
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
See Examples For:
The research suggests that an individual's biology may reflect more than the DNA inherited at conception.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 19, 2026
DBS raises its 2027 earnings forecast for the transport operator by 5% to reflect faster recovery at London-based Addison Lee and continued U.K. public transport momentum.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026
SK Hynix said the current share price fails to reflect its “intrinsic value.”
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 19, 2026
Last weekend, The Irish Times reported, external that a large winery in County Louth has been dropped by a distributor as its labelling didn't reflect that some French grapes had been used in its production.
From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026
The sunny spring skies, the flowers in the lamppost boxes, did not at all reflect the city’s mood.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
"Taeb's appointment also reflects the Iranian establishment's fear of renewed unrest as the economic situation deteriorates, with the Basij likely to play a leading role in quashing future protests," said Brodsky.
From Barron's ● Aug. 20, 2026
It is not clear from this study whether the change reflects an overall increase in the populations of these whale species, or just a redistribution from other areas.
From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026
“This reflects a more mature and pragmatic consumer attitude among today’s young people,” Zhu said.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 19, 2026
The veteran L.A. musician’s new album, ‘Beard,’ reflects recent changes in her life and business.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026
As they cut away from the studio to the empty concrete reservoir that used to be Silverlake, Lyla reflects on the trials of her day.
From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman
The Treasury Department said its intervention reflected its "desire to provide greater liquidity support" for longer-term bonds.
From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026
Our beliefs are reflected in our choices, lifestyles and, yes, political beliefs.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 18, 2026
Those additional particles may alter cloud cover, which in turn affects the Earth's radiation balance by changing how much energy is absorbed or reflected.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 18, 2026
In interviews about the book, she reflected on the scrutiny and cruelty she faced as a young actor.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026
It reflected red bursts onto the packed road.
From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack
“Based on the recent slowdown in activity, housing starts are likely to remain subdued over the coming months, reflecting ongoing challenges in bringing new projects to market,” said Tania Bourassa-Ochoa, the agency’s deputy chief economist.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026
Together, these abilities suggest that traveling waves may be central to how the brain interprets incoming information rather than simply reflecting background electrical activity.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 18, 2026
The U.S. government last week sold 30-year bonds at the highest interest rate since 2001, reflecting the higher compensation investors are demanding to finance the nation’s growing deficit.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 17, 2026
The paper also quotes the prime minister: "It's a moment of reflection, reflecting on how much things came to this".
From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026
He studied me, a glint of suspicion reflecting in his keen gaze.
From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros
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.
