reflective
Americanadjective
-
that reflects; reflecting.
-
of or relating to reflection.
-
cast by reflection.
-
given to, marked by, or concerned with meditation or deliberation.
a reflective person.
- Synonyms:
- thoughtful, contemplative
adjective
-
characterized by quiet thought or contemplation
-
capable of reflecting
a reflective surface
-
produced by reflection
Related Words
See pensive.
Other Word Forms
- antireflective adjective
- antireflectively adverb
- antireflectiveness noun
- nonreflective adjective
- nonreflectively adverb
- nonreflectiveness noun
- overreflective adjective
- overreflectively adverb
- overreflectiveness noun
- reflectively adverb
- reflectiveness noun
- reflectivity noun
- self-reflective adjective
Etymology
Origin of reflective
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.
They can be funny, sad, heartwarming, reflective, thought-provoking or surprising.
From Los Angeles Times
Now it’s Killer Mike, layered, reflective and musically expansive.
An optical cavity works by trapping light between two or more reflective surfaces, causing it to bounce back and forth.
From Science Daily
Even as we look forward to next year’s edition in Boulder, Colo., the Sundance Film Festival put us in a reflective mood.
From Los Angeles Times
The reflective Mirror Tech building remained far in the distance.
From Literature
![]()
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.