reflect
gb/ɹɪflˈɛkt/ us/ɹɪflˈɛkt/
B1
English
~ 1000
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Send back light or image
To send light, heat, sound, or an image back from a surface.
Usage pattern:
[surface] reflects [light/sound/image]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'reflect' with 'refract', which means to bend light as it passes through something.
Synonyms
mirror (Emphasizes showing a clear image like a mirror.)
Antonyms
absorb (Means to take in energy or light instead of sending it back.)
Collocations
reflect light
|reflect sound
|reflect heat
|reflect an image
Themes
science
|daily life
|nature
Examples
- The calm lake reflected the mountains perfectly.
- Polished metal reflects more light than rough metal.
- The glass reflected the sunlight into the room.
- Her sunglasses reflected the glare from the snow.
Learner examples
- The mirror reflects my face.
- Water reflects the sky.
- The wall reflects the sound.
- This glass reflects the sun.
Verb
B2
action
2
Think carefully about something
To think carefully about something.
Usage pattern:
reflect on [something]
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'reflect on' with 'reflex', which is unrelated.
Synonyms
ponder (More formal and literary in tone.)
Antonyms
ignore (To not think about or consider something.)
Collocations
reflect on experience
|reflect deeply
|reflect thoughtfully
Themes
emotions
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She took some time to reflect on her career choices.
- After the meeting, he reflected on what had been said.
- The teacher encouraged students to reflect on their learning.
Learner examples
- I need time to reflect on my plan.
- He reflected on his mistake.
- We reflect on our past work.
Verb
formal
B2
action
3
Show or represent something
To show a quality, attitude, or situation.
Usage pattern:
[something] reflects [quality/attitude/situation]
Synonyms
indicate (More neutral and factual in tone.)
Antonyms
conceal (To hide or keep something from being seen or known.)
Collocations
reflect values
|reflect reality
|reflect culture
Themes
business
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- His actions reflect his commitment to the project.
- The report reflects the company's financial health.
- Her tone reflects her frustration.
Learner examples
- This plan reflects our goals.
- His face reflects his feelings.
- The report reflects the facts.
Verb
B2
action
4
Affect reputation or perception
To make people think about someone or something in a certain way.
Usage pattern:
[something] reflects well/badly on [someone/something]
Synonyms
represent (Focuses on standing for someone/something, not always about reputation.)
Antonyms
damage (Directly harms someone's reputation.)
Collocations
reflect well on
|reflect badly on
Themes
social
|communication
|relationships
Examples
- Your professionalism reflects well on the whole team.
- Such behavior reflects badly on the organization.
- Good customer service reflects positively on the brand.
Learner examples
- This work reflects well on you.
- His actions reflect badly on his team.
- Good results reflect well on the school.
Grammar
Dictionary form
reflect
IPA
GB/ɹɪflˈɛkt/
US/ɹɪflˈɛkt/
Syllables & stress
re - flect (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (flect)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: reflect
- 3rd Person Singular: reflects
- Present Participle: reflecting
- Past: reflected
Word family
Forms
reflects
verb
reflecting
verb
reflected
verb
Core family
reflection
noun A2
reflective
adjective B2
Related words
reflector
noun
reflectively
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
unreflective
adjective
Expressions
reflect badly on
1/ɹɪflˈɛkt bˈædli ˈɔn/
fixed phrase
Cause bad opinion of someone/something
To make people think negatively about someone or something.
Examples
- Rude behavior reflects badly on the whole team.
- The scandal reflects badly on the government.
reflect on
1/ɹɪflˈɛkt ˈɔn/
phrasal verb
Think carefully about something
To think carefully about something before making a decision or forming an opinion.
Examples
- You should reflect on your mistakes before moving forward.
- He took a moment to reflect on what she had said.
reflect well on
1/ɹɪflˈɛkt wˈɛl ˈɔn/
fixed phrase
Cause good opinion of someone/something
To make people think positively about someone or something.
Examples
- Her dedication reflects well on the company.
- Helping others always reflects well on you.