reflect
//ɹɪˈflɛkt//
formalForms
- present (v1)
- reflect
- past (v2)
- reflected
- past participle (v3)
- reflected
- present participle
- reflecting
- 3rd person singular
- reflects
Definitions
1.To bend back (light, etc.) from a surface.
- A mirror reflects the light that shines on it.
2.To be bent back (light, etc.) from a surface.
- The moonlight reflected from the surface of water.
3.To mirror, or show the image of something.
- The shop window reflected his image as he walked past.
4.To be mirrored.
- His image reflected from the shop window as he walked past.
Frequency
Overall
Common· #1193
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Common
- Academic
- Common
- Literature
- Rare
Related words
Word family
Etymology
From Old French reflecter (“to bend back, turn back”), from Latin reflectō (“to reflect”), from re- (“again”) + flectō (“to bend, to curve”).
Compare English reflex.