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
William, 42, sported the camouflage fatigues reflective of his role as Colonel-in-Chief of the Merican Regiment, an Army unit involved there, to hear about how the soldiers are securing NATO's eastern flank as part of Operation Cabrit.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Stock performance is not reflective of the value of an economy on an absolute level, said TradeStation’s Russell.
—John Towfighi, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025
Revisiting the songs that served as the foundation for his career has Legend feeling particularly reflective.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2025
The footage also showed the shooter wearing distinctive clothing — a black long sleeve shirt, pants and shoes with a reflective white stripe — clothing the defendant was seen wearing in the months leading up to the shooting and when he was arrested, Rabenda said.
—Samantha Moilanen, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reflective
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Janine Henni, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Stock performance is not reflective of the value of an economy on an absolute level, said TradeStation’s Russell.
—John Towfighi, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025
Revisiting the songs that served as the foundation for his career has Legend feeling particularly reflective.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2025
The footage also showed the shooter wearing distinctive clothing — a black long sleeve shirt, pants and shoes with a reflective white stripe — clothing the defendant was seen wearing in the months leading up to the shooting and when he was arrested, Rabenda said.
—Samantha Moilanen, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 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 28 Mar. 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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