easy
The calm water reflected the trees like a mirror.
What does Reflect mean?
Reflect means send something back, show something, or think carefully about it.
Dictionary definition
Reflect can mean send light, sound, heat, or an image back from a surface; show or reveal a quality, situation, or idea; think carefully about something; or affect how people judge someone or something, as in reflect well or badly on them.
Example sentences
Reflect in a sentence
easy
Take a minute to reflect on which strategy worked best.
medium
The survey results reflect what most students said they needed.
medium
A smooth wall can reflect sound back into the room.
hard
Helping a teammate reflects well on the whole group.
Writing practice
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Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Reflect
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
Which sentence uses reflect to mean think carefully?
Reflect on means consider an experience or idea carefully.
Practice 2
Which sentence describes physical reflection?
The sound is sent back from a surface.
Practice 3
What does reflect mean in “The results reflect students’ opinions”?
The results provide evidence of what the students think.
Practice complete
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Pronunciation coach
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Reflect
Voice settings
Sounds like
rih · flekt · strongest beat: flekt
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordReflect.
Partverb.
MeaningReflect means send something back, show something, or think carefully about it.
ExampleExample: The calm water reflected the trees like a mirror.
Word breakdown
2 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- rih · flekt
- Strongest beat
- flekt
- Ending
- flekt
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on flekt.
Your turn
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Synonyms
Words like Reflect
mirrorClose when reflect means return an image or closely show the qualities of something.
showClose when reflect means reveal that a quality, attitude, or situation exists.
considerClose when reflect means think carefully about an idea or experience.
contemplateClose in a more formal register for thinking deeply and at length.
Antonym review
Does Reflect have an opposite?
Reflect has physical, visual, figurative, thoughtful, and reputation-related senses, so it has no single precise opposite. Absorb contrasts with reflecting light or sound in some contexts, while ignore contrasts with thoughtful reflection.
Synonym practice
Want to practice reflect synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "The mirror will reflect the lamp," then compare close word choices. Practice reflect synonyms.
Word family
Reflect word family
Base word
reflect
adjective
reflected
Sent back, shown, or represented; reflected is also the past form of the verb.
verb
reflecting
The -ing form of reflect.
noun
reflection
An image or energy sent back from a surface, or careful thought.
adjective
reflective
Able to reflect light or showing careful thought.
noun
reflector
A surface or object designed to reflect light, sound, heat, or other waves.
Related words
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Student support
Understand Reflect
Hint for students
Check what follows the verb: a surface may send light or sound back, evidence may show a condition, and a person may reflect on an experience.
Common mix-up
Reflect on means think carefully about. Reflect can also mean bounce back light or sound or reveal a quality, so do not assume every use describes thinking.
Try it in class or at home
Students sort reflect sentences into four senses: bounce back, form an image, show or reveal, and think carefully. They underline the context clue that identifies each sense.
Teacher prompt
Compare “The mirror reflects light,” “The results reflect our choices,” and “We reflect on our choices.” How does the idea of something being returned or shown connect the senses?
Word Wheel
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Learning activities
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