refractive

American

[ri-frak-tiv] / rɪˈfræk tɪv /

adjective

of or relating to refraction.
Also having power to refract.

refractive British

/ ˌriːfrækˈtɪvɪtɪ, rɪˈfræktɪv /

adjective

of or concerned with refraction
(of a material or substance) capable of causing refraction

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

nonrefractive adjective
nonrefractively adverb
nonrefractiveness noun
refractively adverb
refractiveness noun
unrefractive adjective
unrefractively adverb
unrefractiveness noun

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.

This effect, known as photorefractivity, occurs when exposure to light alters the refractive index.

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

"Metalens-integrated cameras can be directly incorporated into the imaging modules of smartphones, where they could replace the traditional refractive bulk lenses," said Chen.

From Science Daily • May 15, 2024

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

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023