- [countable] an image in a mirror, on a shiny surface, on water, etc.
- He admired his reflection in the mirror.
Extra Examples- He caught sight of her reflection in the window.
- Her reflection in the mirror looked distorted.
- I saw my reflection in the polished marble.
- In the reflection on the glass door he could see the class behind him.
- Kyle's reflection appears in the glass.
- My reflection stared back at me.
- She caught him admiring his reflection in the mirror.
- the reflection of the mountains on the calm waters of the lake
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- clear
- dim
- faint
- …
- catch
- catch a glimpse of
- catch sight of
- …
- look…
- appear
- stare (back)
- …
- in a/the reflection
- reflection in
- reflection on
- …
Definitions on the go
Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.
- [uncountable] the action or process of sending back light, heat, sound, etc. from a surface
- There is reflection of heat from the metal surface.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- heat
- light
- sound
- …
- reflection from
- the angle of reflection
- [countable] a sign that shows the state or nature of something
- Your clothes are often a reflection of your personality.
- This account is only a pale reflection of the true state of affairs.
- reflection on something The increase in crime is a sad reflection on (= shows something bad about) our society today.
Extra Examples- The movie is a poor reflection of Kerouac's work.
- Such studies do not give a true reflection of population needs.
- This was a clear reflection of Marc's personality.
- His low level of performance is no reflection on his general ability.
- Young people's behaviour is a direct reflection of adults'.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- accurate
- fair
- good
- …
- give (somebody)
- provide
- reflection of
- reflection on
- reflection upon
- …
- [uncountable] careful thought about something, sometimes over a long period of time
- A week off would give him time for reflection.
- on reflection She decided on reflection to accept his offer after all.
- It may be that, on mature reflection, you decide to cancel the plan.
Extra Examples- A period of calm reflection is now needed.
- After a moment's reflection he started to speak.
- She decided, on reflection, not to take the job.
- Counselling should encourage reflection on the past.
- On further reflection, I'm not so sure it's a good idea.
- Such decisions may be made after thoughtful reflection.
- Teachers should encourage reflection on the part of their students.
- The party needs a period of sober reflection about what went wrong.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- careful
- deep
- mature
- …
- encourage
- invite
- prompt
- …
- show somebody/something
- after reflection
- on reflection
- upon reflection
- …
- a moment of reflection
- a moment’s reflection
- a period of reflection
- …
- [countable, usually plural] your written or spoken thoughts about a particular subject or topic
- a book of her reflections on childhood
Extra Examples- We asked them to give us their reflections about the state of the industry today.
- She concludes by providing some reflections on the gains of the previous decade.
- He published his reflections on war and peace last year.
- They took a few minutes to offer their personal reflections.
- She has some interesting reflections about the spiritual state of the country.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- interesting
- poignant
- brief
- …
- have
- offer
- reflection about
- reflection on
- reflection upon
- …
- [countable] an account or a description of something
- The article is an accurate reflection of events that day.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- accurate
- fair
- good
- …
- give (somebody)
- provide
- reflection of
- reflection on
- reflection upon
- …
Word Originlate Middle English: from Old French reflexion or late Latin reflexio(n-), from Latin reflex- ‘bent back’, from the verb reflectere.
Check pronunciation:
reflection