reflective
adjective
re·flec·tive
ri-ˈflek-tiv 
1
: capable of reflecting light, images, or sound waves
2
: marked by reflection : thoughtful, deliberative
3
: of, relating to, or caused by reflection
reflective glare
5
: reflecting something : indicative
how fashion is reflective of society—
Glenda Bailey
Glenda Bailey
reflectively
adverb
reflectiveness
noun
Did you know?
Reflective people are people who reflect on things--that is, look back at things that have been done or said in order to think calmly and quietly about them. Most reflective people would agree with Socrates that (as he told the jury that would soon sentence him to death) "The unexamined life is not worth living". Reflective people tend to be a bit philosophical and intellectual. But almost everyone has reflective moods; gazing into a fireplace or a campfire seems to do it to almost everyone.
Examples of reflective in a Sentence
the reflective glare of the shiny metal
She was in a very reflective mood.
Recent Examples on the Web
Yet much of the field focuses on people who are emotionally open and reflective – neglecting executives, who are often socialized to view themselves as purely rational decision-makers.
—Prince Sarpong, The Conversation, 17 July 2025
The smaller Kepler Crater will also be visible Both Copernicus and the smaller Kepler Crater to its left are surrounded by bright streaks of reflective material that were thrown out in the violent aftermath of their creation.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 17 July 2025
That approach seems to apply to the upcoming lots of jewelry, fine art, furniture and decorative objects that are reflective of Phyllis and Fred Pressman’s refined taste, and they are being culled from the couple’s homes in New York City, Southampton, and Palm Beach.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 16 July 2025
Shane sees that honesty as reflective of the band’s dynamic.
—Leah Lu, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for reflective
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Prince Sarpong, The Conversation, 17 July 2025
The smaller Kepler Crater will also be visible Both Copernicus and the smaller Kepler Crater to its left are surrounded by bright streaks of reflective material that were thrown out in the violent aftermath of their creation.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 17 July 2025
That approach seems to apply to the upcoming lots of jewelry, fine art, furniture and decorative objects that are reflective of Phyllis and Fred Pressman’s refined taste, and they are being culled from the couple’s homes in New York City, Southampton, and Palm Beach.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 16 July 2025
Shane sees that honesty as reflective of the band’s dynamic.
—Leah Lu, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for reflective
Cite this Entry
“Reflective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reflective. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reflective
adjective
re·flec·tive
ri-ˈflek-tiv
1
: capable of reflecting light, images, or sound waves
2
: marked by reflection : thoughtful
3
: of, relating to, or caused by reflection
reflectively
adverb
reflectiveness
noun
reflectivity
noun
ˌrē-ˌflek-ˈtiv-ət-ē
ri-
Medical Definition
reflective
adjective
re·flec·tive
ri-ˈflek-tiv
1
: capable of reflecting light, images, or sound waves
2
: of, relating to, or caused by reflection
reflective glare of the snow
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