REFLECTIVE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does reflective mean? 

• REFLECTIVE (adjective)
  The adjective REFLECTIVE has 3 senses:

1. deeply or seriously thoughtful

2. capable of physically reflecting light or sound

3. devoted to matters of the mind

  Familiarity information: REFLECTIVE used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• REFLECTIVE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Deeply or seriously thoughtful

Synonyms:

brooding; broody; contemplative; meditative; musing; pensive; pondering; reflective; ruminative

Context example:

Byron lives on not only in his poetry, but also in his creation of the 'Byronic hero' - the persona of a brooding melancholy young man

Similar:

thoughtful (exhibiting or characterized by careful thought)

Derivation:

reflect (reflect deeply on a subject)

reflectivity (the capability of quiet thought or contemplation)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Capable of physically reflecting light or sound

Context example:

a reflective surface

Similar:

mirrorlike; specular (capable of reflecting light like a mirror)

reflecting (causing reflection or having a device that reflects)

Antonym:

nonreflective (not capable of physical reflection)

Derivation:

reflect (be bright by reflecting or casting light)

reflectivity (the ability to reflect beams or rays)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Devoted to matters of the mind

Context example:

the reflective type

Similar:

intellectual (appealing to or using the intellect)

Derivation:

reflect (reflect deeply on a subject)

reflectivity (the capability of quiet thought or contemplation)

 Context examples 

The first group of bright spots contains the most reflective material on Ceres, which is found on crater floors.

(Bright Areas on Ceres Suggest Geologic Activity, NASA)

Systemic findings reflective of the basic human structure and function, such as temperature, energy/fatigue, and weight.

(Constitutional Finding, NCI Thesaurus)

A highly reflective material is responsible for these spots — ice and salt are leading possibilities, but scientists are considering other options, too.

(Ceres Spots Continue to Mystify in Latest Dawn Images, NASA)

Images from NASA's Dawn spacecraft have revealed a dark, heavily cratered world whose brightest area is made of highly reflective salts — not ice.

(Where is the Ice on Ceres?, NASA)

This can happen, for example, when light bounces off a reflective surface like a mirror or the sea.

(Planck Takes Magnetic Fingerprint of Our Galaxy, JPL/NASA)

Contemporary measurements by NASA's NEOWISE mission indicate that the asteroid is roughly 2,000 feet (650 meters) in size, and that its surface is about twice as reflective as that of the moon.

(Asteroid to Fly Safely Past Earth on April 19, NASA)

The ancient astrologers used to call the tenth house the house of dignity and pointed to this house as reflective of the contribution you would ultimately leave as your legacy.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

Previous observations indirectly found possible signs of surface ice at the lunar south pole, but these could have been explained by other phenomena, such as unusually reflective lunar soil.

(Ice Confirmed at the Moon's Poles, NASA)

A dome structure at the center, covered in highly reflective material, has radial and concentric fractures on and around it.

(Recent Hydrothermal Activity May Explain Ceres' Brightest Area, NASA)

Researchers recommend limiting screen time, applying screen filters, wearing computer glasses that block blue light, or use anti-reflective lenses to offset the effects of artificial light at nighttime.

(Artificial Light of Digital Devices Lessens Sleep Quality, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)