Reflection: meaning, definitions and examples

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reflection

[rɪˈflɛkʃən ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

self-improvement

Serious thought or consideration; a thought occurring in consideration or meditation; the act of reflecting or the state of being reflected.

Synonyms

contemplation, meditation, rumination.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
reflection	Used when someone is thinking back or considering their past experiences or actions. It can also mean the mirroring of an image on a surface. After the meeting, Sarah spent some time in reflection The reflection of the mountain in the lake was stunning
contemplation	Implies deep, serious thought or consideration, often about philosophical or existential matters. He sat in contemplation of the meaning of life Her contemplation of the painting lasted for hours
meditation	Refers to a practice where an individual uses techniques like mindfulness or focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity to achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm state. Meditation helps her manage stress He finds peace through daily meditation
rumination	Involves repetitive thinking, often about negative feelings or problems, and has a more negative connotation than the other terms. Her habit of rumination kept her awake at night Rumination over past mistakes is not healthy

Examples of usage

She sat in quiet reflection, pondering the meaning of life.
His journey to the mountains was a time of deep reflection.
Reflection is key to personal growth and development.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

physics

The throwing back by a body or surface of light, heat, or sound without absorbing it.

Synonyms

echo, mirroring, reverberation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
reflection	When discussing thoughts, serious considerations, or physical images bouncing back from a surface. After a long day, she sat down for some quiet reflection. The reflection in the mirror showed a tired face.
mirroring	When copying or imitating either behavior, actions, or physical images in a deliberate way. The child was mirroring his father's actions. The lake's still water was mirroring the mountains.
reverberation	When describing prolonged sound waves bouncing back, often contributing to a rich, resonant effect. The reverberation of the gong filled the room. Her call for justice had wide reverberations in the community.
echo	When talking about sound waves bouncing back, or when a statement or idea is repeated or reinforced. Her voice created an echo in the empty hall. His opinion echoed the sentiment of the entire team.

Examples of usage

The reflection of the sunlight off the water was blinding.
The mirror provided a clear reflection of her face.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

art

The throwing back by a body or surface of light, heat, or sound without absorbing it.

Synonyms

depiction, interpretation, representation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
reflection	Used when talking about careful thought or consideration, often about one's own thoughts or actions, or the reflected image in a mirror or other shiny surface. After much reflection, she decided to change her career path The lake was so calm that the mountains had a perfect reflection on its surface
interpretation	Used when explaining the meaning of something, such as art, data, or a text, and can vary based on personal or cultural perspectives. Her interpretation of the poem shed new light on its themes The data requires careful interpretation to understand its implications
representation	Used to describe how something or someone is portrayed or stands in place of something else, often used in contexts involving symbols, models, or delegation. The diagram is a visual representation of how the process works He acted as a representation of the company's interests at the meeting
depiction	Used when describing how something is represented in a work of art, literature, or media, focusing on the act of showing or describing. The movie's depiction of life in the 19th century was incredibly accurate The artist's depiction of the landscape captures its true beauty

Examples of usage

The painting captured the artist's reflection of the cityscape.
The sculpture's reflection of human emotion was striking.

^{Context #4 | Verb}

mirroring

To think deeply or carefully about something.

Synonyms

consider, contemplate, ponder.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
reflection	Use when discussing deep thought about past actions, or when referring to a mirrored image. After the meeting, he spent some time in reflection. She saw her reflection in the still water.
contemplate	Use when someone is thinking deeply or at length about something, often with a sense of seriousness or intention. He sat by the window to contemplate the meaning of life. She spent the afternoon contemplating her future.
consider	Use in situations where someone is thinking carefully about possible options or consequences of a decision. She had to consider the pros and cons of the job offer. Please consider my feelings before making a decision.
ponder	Use when someone is thinking about something carefully, often before making a decision, usually more casual than 'contemplate'. He pondered whether he should go on vacation this year. She pondered over the question of what to have for dinner.

Examples of usage

She reflected on her past mistakes and learned from them.
It's important to reflect on the choices we make.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'reflection' comes from the Latin word 'reflectere,' which means 'to bend back.'
It entered English in the late Middle Ages, first referring more to thoughts and pondering than to images.
Both 'reflection' and 'refraction' share roots, with refraction meaning the bending of light, showing a connection between light behavior and visuals.

Science

In physics, reflection occurs when light bounces off a surface, allowing us to see our image.
A perfect reflection occurs on smooth surfaces, like mirrors, while rough surfaces create scattering of light.
Reflection plays a crucial role in optics and is essential for creating effective lenses in cameras and glasses.

Psychology

Self-reflection is the process of thinking about one's feelings, thoughts, and behaviors, crucial for personal growth.
Reflective thinking can enhance problem-solving abilities and critical thinking skills, helping individuals make better decisions.
Studies suggest that regular self-reflection increases emotional intelligence, leading to better relationships and empathy towards others.

Literature

Many authors use reflection as a theme to explore characters’ inner thoughts, showcasing their moral dilemmas or growth.
In poetry, reflections are often metaphors for deeper meaning, symbolizing contemplation or change.
Classic works like 'Hamlet' feature famous soliloquies where characters reflect on their situations, enhancing the dramatic effect.

Art

Reflections in art symbolize duality, often representing both reality and illusion, as seen in many surreal artworks.
Watercolor paintings frequently use reflections to create depth and play with light, mimicking nature's beauty.
Famous artists like Claude Monet used reflection in their work to capture the fleeting effects of light on water.

Translations

Translations of the word "reflection" in other languages:

🇵🇹 reflexão

🇮🇳 प्रतिबिंब

🇩🇪 Reflexion

Spiegelung
Überlegung

🇮🇩 refleksi

🇺🇦 відображення

рефлексія
роздуми

🇵🇱 odbicie

refleksja
zastanowienie

🇯🇵 反射 (はんしゃ)

反映 (はんえい)
考察 (こうさつ)

🇫🇷 réflexion

🇪🇸 reflexión

reflejo
contemplación

🇹🇷 yansıma

🇰🇷 반사 (反射)

반영 (反映)
성찰 (省察)

🇸🇦 انعكاس

🇨🇿 odraz

reflexe
úvaha

🇸🇰 odrazenie

reflexia
úvaha

🇨🇳 反射 (fǎnshè)

反映 (fǎnyìng)
思考 (sīkǎo)

🇸🇮 odsev

refleksija
razmislek

🇮🇸 speglun

🇰🇿 шағылысу

🇬🇪 არეკვლა

🇦🇿 əks

refleksiya
düşüncə

🇲🇽 reflexión

reflejo
contemplación

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,141, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.

...
3138 weekly
3139 enemies
3140 injuries
3141 reflection
3142 excluded
3143 nose
3144 exclusively
...