reflective

reflective — adjective

1. A reflective surface causes light or heat that hits it to bounce off again, so t

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

A reflective surface causes light or heat that hits it to bounce off again, so the surface looks bright or is easy to see.

Example

The cyclists wore jackets with reflective strips so that drivers could see them at night.

collocation: reflective strip / reflective material

Beatrix chose a desk with a reflective glass top to brighten her small office.

Common collocations
  • reflective strip
  • reflective surface
  • reflective material
  • reflective paint
  • reflective tape
  • highly reflective
  • reflective coating
Synonyms
  • shiny

    less technical; describes any smooth surface that gleams, not only by reflection of light

  • glossy

    describes a smooth, shiny finish on paper or paint, not safety-related

  • mirror-like

    more emphatic, suggesting a surface that acts almost like a mirror

Antonyms
  • dull

    a surface that does not reflect light at all

  • matt

    describes a finish that is deliberately not shiny or reflective

Grammar Patterns

reflective + noun (surface, strip, paint)

be reflective

Usage Note

Frequently used in safety contexts to describe materials, clothing, or surfaces designed to be visible in low light. The adverb 'highly' is a common intensifier with this sense.

Common Mistakes

Wear reflexive clothing when cycling at night.
Wear reflective clothing when cycling at night.
'reflexive' is a grammar term for pronouns (myself, yourself); 'reflective' means able to reflect light.

2. A person who is reflective spends time in quiet thought, often because something

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

A person who is reflective spends time in quiet thought, often because something serious or important has caught their attention or made them consider things more deeply.

Example

After the meeting, Defne became quiet and reflective, thinking about the feedback she had received.

predicative: become + reflective

The documentary about climate change left the audience in a reflective mood.

collocation: reflective mood

Common collocations
  • reflective mood
  • reflective essay
  • quiet and reflective
  • reflective silence
  • become reflective
  • reflective moment
Synonyms
  • thoughtful

    broader, can describe both a character trait and a temporary state; less formal

  • contemplative

    more formal; implies active, focused examination of an idea

  • pensive

    implies a quiet, slightly sad or worried quality in the thinking

  • meditative

    suggests a calm, focused inner state, often with spiritual overtones

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

be reflective

reflective + noun (mood, essay, person)

Usage Note

Describes a temporary state of mind rather than a permanent personality trait. A person who is 'reflective' in a given moment may not be a generally thoughtful person. Compare with 'contemplative' (more formal, implies active mental examination) and 'pensive' (implies a tinge of sadness or worry).

Common Mistakes

He is a reflective person who always thinks before speaking.
He is a thoughtful person who always thinks before speaking.
'thoughtful' can describe a personality trait; 'reflective' describes a temporary state or a current mood.

3. Something that is reflective of a broader condition or quality reveals what that

3.adjectiveC1
Definition

Something that is reflective of a broader condition or quality reveals what that condition or quality is like — for example, falling attendance numbers may suggest that the local community is losing interest.

Example

The low test scores are reflective of the lack of resources in the school.

pattern: [noun] + be reflective of + [noun phrase]

Yael's choice of career was reflective of her deep commitment to helping others.

Common collocations
  • reflective of
  • be reflective of
  • reflective of broader trends
  • reflective of underlying issues
  • reflective of changing attitudes
Synonyms
  • indicative

    direct synonym; equally formal, used in the same pattern 'indicative of'

  • representative

    suggests a typical or characteristic example, not necessarily a causal link

  • revealing

    less formal; suggests the thing being shown was previously hidden

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

be reflective of + noun phrase

Usage Note

Almost always used predicatively with the preposition 'of'. The subject is typically a result, symptom, or sign, while the object of 'of' is the underlying cause or condition. This sense is more common in formal writing (reports, analyses, academic texts) than in everyday conversation.

Common Mistakes

His behaviour is reflective his upbringing.
His behaviour is reflective of his upbringing.
the preposition 'of' is required after 'reflective' in this sense.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/2

All four words describe a state of quiet thinking, but they differ in tone and setting. 'Thoughtful' is the broadest and most informal — you can be thoughtful about a friend's problem or about a serious decision. 'Reflective' suggests a quieter, more backward-looking state — you reflect on things that have already happened. 'Contemplative' is more formal and implies active, focused examination of an idea or question, often with a spiritual or philosophical tone. 'Pensive' adds a hint of sadness or worry to the thinking — a pensive person looks out a window with a troubled expression. 'Meditative' is the calmest and most focused, suggesting a trained mental practice closer to meditation. For a student writing about their travel experiences, 'reflective essay' would fit best; for a character staring pensively at the rain, 'pensive' would be more vivid.

thoughtful ↗contemplativepensivemeditative

Common collocations

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'reflective' is formed from 'reflect' (from Latin 'reflectere', meaning 'to bend back') plus the suffix '-ive' (meaning 'having the quality of'). 'Reflectere' itself combines 're-' ('back') and 'flectere' ('to bend'). The physical sense of bending light back dates from the 1500s; the mental sense of thoughtful consideration developed around the 1600s. The 'indicative' meaning emerged later, in the 1800s, extending the metaphor of reflection from light onto ideas and qualities.