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.
The resulting patterns show strong optical contrast because of the light-induced refractive index changes, making them easy to detect with optical methods.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 21, 2026
The key difference in this new approach is the use of molybdenum diselenide, which has a much higher refractive index.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 5, 2026
Instead of trapping light inside solid matter, they confine it within subwavelength air cavities etched into a material with a very high refractive index.
From Science Daily ● Mar. 24, 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
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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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
