reflecting

American

[ri-flek-ting] / rɪˈflɛk tɪŋ /

adjective

casting back light, heat, sound, etc., from a surface.

An echo is heard when the reflecting surface is at a considerable distance from both the speaker and the hearer.
having a mirrorlike effect; giving back or showing an image.

The most memorable feature of Hadrian’s Villa for me was the reflecting pool at the back, surrounded by ruins and statues.
thinking, pondering, or meditating.

It is apparent to every reflecting mind that a crisis has arisen which requires the consideration and action of every peace-loving citizen.

noun

an act or instance of casting back light, heat, etc., of giving back an image, or of showing or reproducing something.

This room feels almost like it's under the sea; the mirror mimics the reflecting of the water.
an act or instance of thinking, pondering, or meditating.

We have been doing some reflecting on the year that has just passed.

Other Word Forms

nonreflecting adjective
reflectingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of reflecting

First recorded in 1525–35; reflect ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; reflect ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun senses

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A California-based startup called Reflect Orbital says that reflecting sunshine on places during times of darkness could charge up solar panels, grow crops and replace urban lighting.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

This Music May Contain Hope fuses old-school jazz with an orchestra, blues, big band and soul, reflecting what Raye told the BBC last year.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

Gold’s switch from being a safe-haven asset to reflecting the broader market’s mood was reinforced on Thursday, as the metal’s price dropped sharply.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026

Excluding certain items, the metric fell $92.9 million to $327.5 million, partly reflecting a $32.5 million pretax charge related to the write-off of excess raw potatoes in its international segment.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

But what if you could arrange the waves so that reflecting waves, instead of cancelling out the new waves, would reinforce them?

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023