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reflective

reflective

38 4.5
A person who thinks carefully about ideas or feelings
  • adjective
  • /rɪˈflɛktɪv/
translation icon : reflexivo
  • After a long day, she sat quietly, feeling reflective about her choices and future.
  • reflective thinking
  • self-reflective
  • reflective practice

Well, let's create self reflective hybrid intelligence systems.

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Examples

  • We hope that your journey through the exhibit has been one of reflective contemplation allowing for a new perspective and insight.

  • I got sad and reflective on my prom night, too.

  • Look, as you know, people in our business are not very self reflective when they get things wrong.

  • Of course, this final question is reflective of the entire course, not the challenges alone.

    Academic text (1999)
  • What's put you in such a reflective mood?

  • Self-reflection was another important goal, and several opportunities for reflective learning were built into the project.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Her altruistic approach to learning is reflective of the model she presents in her own library.

    Academic text (2011)
  • One of the purposes for creating portfolios is to develop more reflective beginning school leaders.

    Academic text (1999)
  • The school counselor guides a reflective conversation and writes down student responses on the home report.

    Academic text (2013)
  • Social workers are trained to be self-reflective, and this ability is central to enhancing empathy.

    Academic text (2011)

Synonyms

thoughtful
vsreflective
68 2.6

Serious and quietly thinking about something

is broader, describing deep or serious thinking rather than decision focus
introspective
vsreflective
19 7.4

To think carefully about your own feelings and thoughts

is broader, applying to deep thought about many external topics too
meditative
vsreflective
17 5.6

Thinking deeply and quietly in a calm way

is general serious thinking rather than specifically calm absorbed practice
contemplative
vsreflective
15 6.0

Thinking deeply and quietly, often for a long time

is wider, referring to serious thinking in many everyday situations
pensive
vsreflective
14 7.0

Being quiet and deep in thought, often a little sad

is more neutral, covering deep thought without the sad emotional tone
brooding
vsreflective
8 6.2

Having a quiet, serious mood that feels dark

is more neutral, describing deep thought without the dark emotional color
broody
vsreflective
3 8.0

Being serious and quiet because of deep thought

is more neutral, signifying deep thought without the strong moodiness
ruminative
vsreflective
1 7.9

Thinking deeply about something, often in a quiet way

is general deep thinking without the repeated absorbed focus
pondering
vsreflective
5.5

Thinking carefully for a long time about something

is broader, applying to serious study beyond single questions
musing
vsreflective
6.1

Being quiet and thinking deeply about something

is broader, describing serious thought rather than light imaginative thinking
mediative
vsreflective
8.4

Being quiet and thinking deeply to feel calm

is broader, covering serious thinking beyond structured quiet practices
cogitative
vsreflective
  • Formal
8.4

Thinking carefully to understand or solve something

is less technical, referring to general deep thinking without logic focus
self-examining
vsreflective
6.8

Thinking carefully about your own thoughts and feelings

is less inward, covering deep thinking about general subjects not only self

Antonyms

94 5.6

Not thorough and only about what is obvious, not deep

Compounds

reflective power
  • Specialized
6.0

How much light a surface sends back when light hits it

How Reflective

meditative
17 5.6
reflective
38 4.5
thoughtful
68 2.6
unreflective
1 7.0

Surface Forms

reflective positive
reflectiver comparative
reflectivest superlative

Morphology

reflective = reflect (transparent) = reflect + ive

The adjective is formed from the verb 'reflect' (meaning 'to think') with the regular suffix '-ive', making the 'thoughtful' sense predictable.

Etymology

Reflective comes from the parts re- 'back' and flect 'to bend'. A helpful way to remember this meaning is to imagine bending your thoughts back to yourself, which is why a reflective person thinks carefully about their actions.