refractive

American  

[ri-frak-tiv] / rɪˈfræk tɪv /

adjective

1. of or relating to refraction.

2. Also having power to refract.

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refractive British  

/ ˌriːfrækˈtɪvɪtɪ, rɪˈfræktɪv /

adjective

1. of or concerned with refraction

2. (of a material or substance) capable of causing refraction

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Other Word Forms

• nonrefractive adjective
• nonrefractively adverb
• nonrefractiveness noun
• refractively adverb
• refractiveness noun
• unrefractive adjective
• unrefractively adverb
• unrefractiveness noun

Etymology

Origin of refractive

First recorded in 1665–75, refractive is from the Late Latin word refrāctīvus (of pronouns) reflexive. See refract, -ive

Example Sentences

“If somehow that feedback is broken, for example, if kids are exposed to only a certain kind of wavelength, then that can mess up your refractive development.”

From Salon • Mar. 27, 2025

"Metalens-integrated cameras can be directly incorporated into the imaging modules of smartphones, where they could replace the traditional refractive bulk lenses," said Chen.

From Science Daily • May 15, 2024

In this case, the refractive index of the material, or how much light bends or deviates from its original path when is passes through, changed dramatically with atomic disorder.

From Science Daily • May 7, 2024

For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts Nate Chinen and Isaac Butler explore the refractive nature of switching mediums.

From Slate • Nov. 16, 2023

An optometer is an instrument for measuring refractive errors in eyes— in order that corrective lenses may be prescribed.

From "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut