refractive
Americanadjective
-
of or concerned with refraction
-
(of a material or substance) capable of causing refraction
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of refractive
First recorded in 1665–75, refractive is from the Late Latin word refrāctīvus (of pronouns) reflexive. See refract, -ive
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.
When materials undergo these phase changes, important physical properties can change as well, including density and refractive index, which affect how sound and light travel through them.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 22, 2026
A key concept behind this discovery is the refractive index, which describes how much a material bends or slows light.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 21, 2026
There is a strange, refractive moment at the end of this Fanatics commercial where Kendall Jenner bets on the New England Patriots to win the Super Bowl.
From Slate ● Feb. 8, 2026
“If somehow that feedback is broken, for example, if kids are exposed to only a certain kind of wavelength, then that can mess up your refractive development.”
From Salon ● Mar. 27, 2025
An optometer is an instrument for measuring refractive errors in eyes— in order that corrective lenses may be prescribed.
From "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut
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