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
4
: reflexive sense 3
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.
Synonyms
- broody
- cogitative
- contemplative
- meditative
- melancholy
- musing
- pensive
- ruminant
- ruminative
- thoughtful
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
the reflective glare of the shiny metal She was in a very reflective mood.
Recent Examples on the Web All odds come courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook and are reflective at time of writing. Nick Hennion, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2022 The promotion is reflective both of Pixar’s ramping up of production on movies and TV shows for theatrical and streaming and the important contributions Rivera has made over his long tenure at the studio. Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Sep. 2022 Would that country music might be as reflective about its artists and fans of color and how they could be better supported in the genre. Lisa Respers France, CNN, 26 Feb. 2022 The county’s struggle is reflective of a statewide placement crisis, where the supply for residential beds isn’t keeping up with demand. Kaitlin Durbin, cleveland, 4 Sep. 2022 There is a minimum of $50,000 for reimbursement programs, which Meyers said is reflective of the county’s desire for projects that will impact many people, rather than just a handful. Gavin Good, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2022 The poll results were adjusted afterward so the sample population was reflective of Indiana's population. The Indianapolis Star, 31 Aug. 2022 But for some players, that price is also reflective of being able to play the game for the first time. Geoffrey Bunting, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2022 Republicans argue special elections aren’t always reflective of the broader, general election environment. Joshua Jamerson, WSJ, 28 Aug. 2022 See More
Nick Hennion, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2022 The promotion is reflective both of Pixar’s ramping up of production on movies and TV shows for theatrical and streaming and the important contributions Rivera has made over his long tenure at the studio. Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Sep. 2022 Would that country music might be as reflective about its artists and fans of color and how they could be better supported in the genre. Lisa Respers France, CNN, 26 Feb. 2022 The county’s struggle is reflective of a statewide placement crisis, where the supply for residential beds isn’t keeping up with demand. Kaitlin Durbin, cleveland, 4 Sep. 2022 There is a minimum of $50,000 for reimbursement programs, which Meyers said is reflective of the county’s desire for projects that will impact many people, rather than just a handful. Gavin Good, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2022 The poll results were adjusted afterward so the sample population was reflective of Indiana's population. The Indianapolis Star, 31 Aug. 2022 But for some players, that price is also reflective of being able to play the game for the first time. Geoffrey Bunting, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2022 Republicans argue special elections aren’t always reflective of the broader, general election environment. Joshua Jamerson, WSJ, 28 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1627, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing reflective
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
reflective
adjective
1
as in thoughtful
given to or marked by long, quiet thinking one of the twins was outgoing and talkative while the other was withdrawn and reflective Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- thoughtful
- melancholy
- contemplative
- pensive
- somber
- meditative
- philosophical
- ruminative
- musing
- introspective
- philosophic
- solemn
- cogitative
- ruminant
- broody
- retrospective
- serious
- logical
- rational
- self-reflective
- analytic
- earnest
- preoccupied
- sombre
- sober
- deliberate
- purposeful
- analytical
- sedate
- abstracted
- serious-minded
- severe
- weighty
- grave
- absentminded
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unreflective
- flippant
- goofy
- frivolous
- scatterbrained
- silly
- thoughtless
- flighty
- harebrained
- unthinking
- mindless
- featherbrained
- brainless
- light-headed
2
as in indicative
indicating something this new policy is reflective of the company's desire to improve customer relations Synonyms & Similar Words
- indicative
- characteristic
- signifying
- denoting
- denotative
- telltale
- expressive
- allusive
- significant
- symbolic
- demonstrative
- symptomatic
- referring
- alluding
- symbolical
- suggestive
- exhibiting
- insinuating
- hinting
- connoting
- implying
- microporous
- micropotentiometer
- microprint
- microprinted
- microprinting
- microprintings
- microprints
- microprism
- microprisms
- microprobe
- microprobes
- microprocedure
- microprocessor
- microprocessors
- microprogram
- microprogramming
- microprogrammings
- microprograms
- microprojection
- microprojections
- microprojector
- microprojectors
- micropteri
- micropterism
- micropterous