reflect

verb

re·​flect ri-ˈflekt 

reflected; reflecting; reflects

transitive verb

1

: to block and redirect (light, sound, etc.)

A mirror reflects light.

2

: to give back or exhibit (something or someone) as an image, likeness, or outline : mirror

The clouds were reflected in the water.

3

: to cause (something, such as honor or credit) to be attributed or associated

—used with on or upon

His attitude reflects little credit on his judgment.

4

: to make (something) manifest or apparent : show

The painting reflects her artistic vision.

His restless journeying is reflected in his accent, which hovers somewhere above Boston, New Zealand and Australia …

—Nick Galvin

5

: realize, consider

She was disappointed that the team lost, but reflected that their offense had improved.

"It was an interesting experience," he reflected.

6

: to bend or fold (something) back

The skin of the dorsum of the foot was removed and fascia reflected to expose the tendons …

—J. S. Luckrajh et al.

7

archaic : to turn (something) into or away from a course : deflect

intransitive verb

1

a

: to throw back light or sound

A highly polished mirror reflects better than a dull one.

b

: to be thrown back from a surface

—used of light, sound, etc.

—usually used with off or from

The sunlight reflected off of the river.

Owing to the abundance of light reflected from the white and glittering surface, no shadows were cast on any part …

—Charles Darwin

… the measure of sound reflected from the deep …

—Helen Scales

2

a

: to think quietly and calmly

She sat quietly and reflected for a while.

Take time to reflect before making a decision.

—often used with on or upon

Afterwards, he reflected on the experience.

b

: to express a thought or opinion resulting from reflection (see reflection sense 7)

—often used with on or upon

listened to him reflect on the day's events

Things took a poignant turn, however, when they delivered an emotional speech reflecting on their recent strides toward living authentically as a genderqueer and nonbinary person.

—Curtis M. Wong

3

a

: to cause something or someone to be thought of in a specified way

—usually used with on or upon

In a tourist destination …, anything unsightly, anything unattractive, reflects badly on the whole community.

—Steven Mayer

Nebraska Deputy Education Commissioner Deborah Frison said earning a perfect score reflects well on both the students themselves and their support system.

—Erin Bamer

b

: to tend to bring reproach or discredit

—usually used with on or upon

"… They said that it was sheer rudeness not to ask her, and that it reflected on us all …"

—Lucy Maud Montgomery

Some leaders claim that until they shout, their team doesn't take them seriously, but … this reflects more on the leader than the led.

—Abiola Salami

c

archaic : to have a bearing or influence

This is the atmosphere I have to picture; the condition of the times as it reflected on the growth of the church, and the condition of the church as it reflected on the growth of civilization in this city.

—William Denison Lyman

4

: to become mirrored : to produce a mirrorlike image

—usually used with in or on

The moon reflected on the water.

As you stand below and look up, you see this dramatic pie-slice of sky reflecting in the glassy facades on either side of the notch.

—Steven Litt

Synonyms

• image
• mirror

Choose the Right Synonym for reflect

think, cogitate, reflect, reason, speculate, deliberate mean to use one's powers of conception, judgment, or inference.

think is general and may apply to any mental activity, but used alone often suggests attainment of clear ideas or conclusions.

teaches students how to think

cogitate implies deep or intent thinking.

cogitated on the mysteries of nature

reflect suggests unhurried consideration of something recalled to the mind.

reflecting on fifty years of married life

reason stresses consecutive logical thinking.

able to reason brilliantly in debate

speculate implies reasoning about things theoretical or problematic.

speculated on the fate of the lost explorers

deliberate suggests slow or careful reasoning before forming an opinion or reaching a conclusion or decision.

the jury deliberated for five hours

Examples of reflect in a Sentence

The old church is reflected in the glass exterior of the skyscraper.

Her book clearly reflects her beliefs.

Where you learned a language is reflected in your accent.

Recent Examples on the Web

These awards reflect Hutson’s leadership and impact on academia and industry. —Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024

Bidding for the jersey, which reportedly had already gotten a $1.4 million offer earlier in the week, was also due to close Saturday, although SCP’s website did not reflect a winner as of Sunday morning. —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 15 Dec. 2024

Leaders need to reflect on their childhood archetypes and see how those patterns may have been carried forward into their working style. —Dev Patnaik, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024

Some folks change their cases often, coordinating colors and patterns with their daily looks, while others choose one that reflects their continual style, matching any outfit or need for months to come. —Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 15 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin reflectere to bend back, from re- + flectere to bend

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 7

Phrases Containing reflect

• reflect credit on

Kids Definition

reflect

verb

re·​flect ri-ˈflekt 

1

: to bend or throw back waves of light, sound, or heat

a polished surface reflects light

2

: to give back an image or likeness of as if by a mirror

3

: to bring as a result

4

: to cast disapproval or blame

our bad conduct reflects upon our training

5

: to think seriously and carefully : meditate

Medical Definition

reflect

transitive verb

re·​flect ri-ˈflekt 

1

: to bend or fold back : impart a backward curve, bend, or fold to

2

: to push or lay aside (as tissue or an organ) during surgery in order to gain access to the part to be operated on

the pleura were reflected and later closed over the stump

intransitive verb

: to throw back light or sound : return rays, beams, or waves