reflection
gb/ɹɪflˈɛkʃən/ us/ɹɪflˈɛkʃən/
A2
English
~ 7300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
image you see in a mirror
The picture of a person or thing that you see in a mirror, glass, or water.
Usage pattern:
to see [someone]'s reflection in [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'reflection' with 'shadow'. A reflection is an image you see in a mirror or shiny surface, while a shadow is a dark shape on a surface caused by light being blocked.
Synonyms
image (A general word for a picture or appearance; it does not always suggest a mirror or shiny surface like 'reflection' does.)
Antonyms
original (The real person or object, as opposed to the copied image you see as a reflection.)
Collocations
see your reflection
|mirror reflection
|reflection in the water
|clear reflection
|distorted reflection
Themes
daily life
|visual
|appearance
|daily_life
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She caught her reflection in the shop window and quickly fixed her hair.
- The mountains looked beautiful in the lake’s calm reflection.
- I could barely see my reflection in the scratched old mirror.
- His reflection in the glass door made him look much taller.
- The bright lights on the stage created strange reflections in her glasses.
Learner examples
- I looked at my reflection in the mirror.
- You can see the trees in the water’s reflection.
- The glass is dirty, so my reflection is not clear.
- He smiled when he saw his reflection in the window.
- The moon’s reflection shines on the river at night.
Noun
B2
action
2
careful thought about something
When you think slowly and carefully about something, usually an important idea, choice, or experience.
Usage pattern:
after (some) reflection, [clause]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'thinking' instead of 'reflection' in set phrases like 'after some reflection' or 'on reflection'. While 'after thinking' is understandable, 'after some reflection' sounds more natural and formal in writing and careful speech.
Synonyms
consideration (Sounds slightly more formal and often focuses on weighing choices, while 'reflection' can be more personal and about feelings or lessons.)
Antonyms
impulse (Acting on impulse means acting suddenly without reflection or careful thought.)
Collocations
after some reflection
|on reflection
|deep reflection
|time for reflection
|period of reflection
Themes
thinking
|decision-making
|emotions
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- After much reflection, she decided to move abroad for work.
- The trip gave him time for reflection about what he really wanted in life.
- On reflection, I think we should have listened to her advice.
- The speech prompted serious reflection on how we treat the environment.
- Moments of quiet reflection can help reduce stress and worry.
Learner examples
- After some reflection, I changed my plan.
- The holiday gave me time for reflection.
- On reflection, I was wrong to shout at him.
- She sat in reflection before making her choice.
- Reflection helped him understand his mistakes.
Noun
B2
entity
3
something that shows qualities clearly
Something that shows what a person, group, or thing is really like, often used to judge it as good or bad.
Usage pattern:
[something] is a [good/bad] reflection on [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners often say 'reflection to' instead of 'reflection of' or 'reflection on'. Use 'a reflection of' to show what something is like, and 'a reflection on' to talk about how something affects a person’s or group’s reputation.
Synonyms
indication (A general word for a sign; 'reflection' suggests a closer, more direct connection to the quality being judged.)
Antonyms
misrepresentation (A misrepresentation gives a false picture, while a reflection (in this sense) is understood as accurately showing the real qualities.)
Collocations
a reflection of society
|true reflection of
|fair reflection of
|poor reflection on
|bad reflection on
Themes
evaluation
|reputation
|society
|communication
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The high crime rate is a sad reflection of the city’s social problems.
- Her kindness is a true reflection of her character.
- The dirty tables are a bad reflection on the restaurant’s management.
- The exam results are not an accurate reflection of the students’ abilities.
- The team’s success is a positive reflection on the new coach.
Learner examples
- His work is a reflection of his talent.
- The bad service is a poor reflection on the hotel.
- These rules are a reflection of our values.
- The report is not a true reflection of the facts.
- Your behavior is a bad reflection on the company.
Noun
formal
B2
entity
4
written or spoken thoughtful comments
Careful thoughts or ideas that a person writes or talks about, usually in a personal way.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s reflections on [topic]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this sense with a simple 'summary' or 'report'. A summary tells what happened; reflections explain what you think or feel about what happened and what it means.
Synonyms
meditations (Often more spiritual or philosophical; 'reflections' can be academic, personal, or everyday.)
Antonyms
report (A report focuses on facts and information, while reflections focus on personal thoughts and feelings about those facts.)
Collocations
personal reflections
|reflections on life
|reflections on experience
|brief reflections
|collected reflections
Themes
writing
|thinking
|education
|communication
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- The book is a collection of her reflections on travel and identity.
- Students are asked to write brief reflections after each class.
- His reflections on aging were both honest and moving.
- The article ends with the author’s reflections on the future of work.
- Her reflections on the project helped the team improve their next plan.
Learner examples
- I wrote my reflections on the movie for homework.
- The teacher asked us to share our reflections on the story.
- This blog is full of her reflections on daily life.
- He shared some reflections on his first year at university.
- In my reflections, I talk about what I learned.
Noun
technical
C1
event
5
bouncing back of light or sound
When light, sound, or other waves hit a surface and then go back instead of passing through or staying in it.
Usage pattern:
the reflection of [light/sound] from [a surface]
Common mistake:
Learners may mix 'reflection' with 'refraction'. Reflection is when waves bounce back from a surface; refraction is when waves bend as they pass into a different medium.
Synonyms
bounce (Informal and general; in physics, 'reflection' is the precise technical term for this 'bounce' of waves.)
Antonyms
absorption (Absorption happens when waves are taken in by a material instead of being reflected back.)
Collocations
light reflection
|sound reflection
|angle of reflection
|law of reflection
|total internal reflection
Themes
science
|physics
|technology
Examples
- The mirror’s smooth surface allows almost perfect reflection of light.
- In this experiment we measure the reflection of sound from different materials.
- The law of reflection states that the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection.
- Coatings on glasses reduce the reflection of light and prevent glare.
- Radar works by sending out signals and detecting their reflection from objects.
Learner examples
- Reflection happens when light hits a mirror and goes back.
- We studied the reflection of sound in physics class.
- The angle of reflection is the same as the angle of incidence.
- Walls with soft material reduce reflection of noise.
- The strong reflection of the sun made it hard to see.
Noun
technical
C1
action
6
flipping a shape over a line
In math, a change that turns a shape into its mirror image across a line or a flat surface.
Usage pattern:
the reflection of [a shape] across [a line/plane]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'reflection' with 'rotation' or 'translation'. A reflection always makes a mirror image across a line or plane, while rotation turns the shape and translation just moves it without turning.
Synonyms
flip (An informal classroom term for turning a shape over; 'reflection' is the precise mathematical term.)
Antonyms
rotation (A different geometric transformation that turns a shape without flipping it into a mirror image.)
Collocations
line of reflection
|reflection across the y-axis
|horizontal reflection
|vertical reflection
Themes
math
|geometry
|education
|science
Examples
- Draw the reflection of the triangle across the vertical line.
- In this exercise, each point is mapped to its reflection in the x-axis.
- A reflection in geometry keeps the same size and shape but changes orientation.
- The teacher showed how a reflection can create mirror symmetry.
- We found the line of reflection between the original figure and its image.
Learner examples
- In geometry, we can move a shape by reflection.
- The reflection of the square across the line looks like a mirror image.
- Each point goes to its reflection on the other side of the line.
- A reflection changes the side of the shape but not its size.
- We drew a line of reflection and flipped the shape over it.
Grammar
Dictionary form
reflection
IPA
GB/ɹɪflˈɛkʃən/
US/ɹɪflˈɛkʃən/
Syllables & stress
re - flec - tion (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (flec)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: reflection
- Plural: reflections
Word family
Forms
reflections
noun
Core family
reflect
verb B1
reflective
adjective B2
Related words
reflectively
adverb
reflector
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unreflective
adjective
Advanced or less common
reflectivity
noun
Expressions
a reflection of
1/ə ɹɪflˈɛkʃən əv/
fixed phrase
something that shows what something is like
Used to say that one thing clearly shows what another thing, person, or situation is really like.
Examples
- The rise in prices is a reflection of the growing demand.
- Her success is a reflection of her hard work.
- The film is a reflection of the fears of that time.
a reflection on
1/ə ɹɪflˈɛkʃən ˈɔn/
fixed phrase
something that affects reputation or judgment
Used to say that something makes a person or thing look good or bad in other people’s opinion, often negative.
Examples
- The rude staff are a bad reflection on the company.
- Your behavior at the meeting was a poor reflection on you.
- The dirty streets are a sad reflection on the city government.
on reflection
1/ˈɔn ɹɪflˈɛkʃən/
fixed phrase
after thinking carefully about it
Used to say that you changed your opinion or decision after thinking carefully.
Examples
- On reflection, I realized that taking the job would have been a mistake.
- He agreed to help, but on reflection he decided it was too risky.
- On reflection, the committee chose the cheaper option.
self-reflection
1/sˈɛlf ɹɪflˈɛkʃən/
fixed phrase
thinking carefully about yourself
The act of looking at your own thoughts, feelings, and actions to understand yourself better.
Examples
- Therapy encouraged him to practice regular self-reflection.
- Self-reflection can help you learn from your mistakes.
- The course includes activities that support self-reflection and personal growth.
upon reflection
1/əpˈɑn ɹɪflˈɛkʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
after careful thought (formal)
A formal way to say 'after thinking carefully about something'.
Examples
- Upon reflection, the judge reduced the sentence.
- The company, upon reflection, admitted that it had made an error.
- Upon reflection, she felt her first reaction had been unfair.