reflect
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for reflect, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To bounce light, sound, or an image back off a surface.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use reflect
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin reflectere ("to bend back"), from re- ("back") plus flectere ("to bend").
Full origin of reflect →Frequently asked questions
What does “reflect” mean?
The word “reflect” means to bounce light, sound, or an image back off a surface. In plain terms, to bounce back (light, image), to think hard about something, or to show evidence of something.
How do you pronounce “reflect”?
“Reflect” is pronounced rih-FLEHKT (/ɹɪˈflɛkt/ in IPA).
How do you use “reflect” in a sentence?
Here is “reflect” used in a sentence: “The lake reflected the mountains perfectly at dawn.”
What part of speech is “reflect”?
“Reflect” is a verb.
Where does the word “reflect” come from?
The word “reflect” comes from Latin. From Latin reflectere ("to bend back"), from re- ("back") plus flectere ("to bend").
Is “reflect” a common word?
“Reflect” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “reflect” have?
“Reflect” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to bounce light, sound, or an image back off a surface.
What is the difference between reflect and refract?
To reflect is to bounce light, sound, or an image back off a surface, the way a mirror sends light back toward you. To refract is to bend light as it passes through a substance, the way a straw looks bent in a glass of water. Reflection bounces back; refraction bends through.
Is it "reflect on" or "reflect upon"?
Both are correct and mean the same thing: to think carefully about something. "Reflect on" is the more common choice in everyday writing and speech, while "reflect upon" sounds slightly more formal or literary. Choose whichever fits the tone of your sentence.
What is the difference between reflect and deflect?
To reflect is to bounce something, such as light or sound, back off a surface. To deflect is to turn something aside from its original path, so it continues in a new direction rather than returning. Figuratively, people reflect on questions but deflect them when they avoid answering.