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reflect Definition

re·flect (ri flekt′)

transitive verb

  1. to bend or throw back (light, heat, or sound)
  2. to give back an image of; mirror or reproduce
  3. to cast or bring back as a consequence: with on deeds that reflect honor on him
  4. to express or show skills that reflect years of training
  5. to recollect or realize after thought (that)
  6. to fold or turn back: usually used in pp.

Etymology: ME reflecten < MFr reflecter < L reflectere < re-, back + flectere, to bend

intransitive verb

  1. to be bent or thrown back light reflecting from the water
  2. to bend or throw back light, heat, sound, etc. a reflecting surface
    1. to give back an image or likeness
    2. to be mirrored
  4. to think seriously; contemplate (on or upon)
  5. to cast blame or discredit (on or upon)

reflect Synonyms

reflect

v.

  1. To contemplate

    speculate, muse, ponder, consider; see consider 3, think 1.

  2. To throw back

    echo, reecho, repeat, match, take after, return, resonate, reverberate, resound, copy, reproduce, reply, repercuss, be resonant, emulate, imitate, follow, catch, rebound; see also bounce 1, sound 1.

  3. To throw back an image

    mirror, shine, reproduce, show up on, flash, glare, give back, cast back, return, give forth.

  4. To make apparent

    show, indicate, reveal, exhibit; see display 1.

  5. To bring discredit

    cast blame on, dishonor, disgrace; see depreciate 2, disgrace.

reflect Usage Examples

Object

  • diversity: We want to reflect the diversity of the country we serve.
  • fact: Please note the price reflects the fact that we want you to think about your purchase.
  • reality: By reflecting reality we can create scenes that are immersive beyond their media.
  • view: The RSPCA Council does not reflect the views of all of its members.
  • nature: Our question concerning ethnic backgrounds revealed a wide variety of cultures, which reflects the diverse nature of the Boro of Camden.
  • trend: Generally, the type of crime recorded in the Keighley area reflects the trends across the district.

Preposition: on

  • fact: I also reflected on the fact that we're very well served in the Diocese by our Local Radio Stations.

Noun phrase with adjective complement

  • inherent: A forbearing of events to come reflects parental anxiety inherent in the circumstances of birth, providing an apt background for what follows.

Modifying Another Word

  • accurately: An intense day with a designer produces a website that accurately reflects a small company in the business's own words.
  • necessarily: They do not necessarily reflect the views of HDRA.
  • critically: It encourages students to reflect critically on practice in assessment in RE observed in schools.

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • upon: They will also be given some questions to consider, encouraging them to reflect upon their progress.
  • on: To enable the student to reflect on and learn from experience.

Followed by a transitive particle

  • off: My guess is that is exactly what we have here, a display laser, or powerful spotlight, reflecting off low level clouds.

Used with why or when

  • what: This genre reflects what may be termed the ' democratization ' of Islamic medicine.

Present participle complement

  • differ: However, individual LSPs would still be expected to reflect differing geographical requirements across the region.
  • prevail: The last one occurred in 1976 and was based on late 1960s rental values that reflected prevailing social and economic conditions.

Preposition: in

  • price: These costs would have to be reflected in the price of the product and we want to make natural cosmetics affordable for everyone.
  • turnout: Falling public confidence in the ability of local democracy to deliver is reflected most starkly in the turnout at local elections.
  • curriculum: OPPORTUNITY - This is reflected in the curriculum offered to each child.
reflect Quotes

Leibniz n'e¤  tait point marie¤  ; il y avait pense¤   a'   l'a"  ge de cinquante ans; mais la personne qu'il avait en vue voulut avoir le temps de faire ses re¤  flexions. Cela donne a' Leibniz le loisir de faire aussi les siennes, et il ne se maria point. Leibniz never married; he had considered it at the age of fifty, but the person he had in mind desired time to think about it. This gave Leibniz time to reflect, also, and he didn't marry.

—Fontenelle, Bernard le Bovier de

How awful to reflect that what people say of us is true!

—Smith, Logan Pearsall