rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryreflectSending back
verb

reflect

rih-FLEKT/rɪˈflekt/

To send an image or waves back from a surface.

The tilted mirror reflects a flashlight beam onto a white card.

A small tilted mirror throws a narrow beam from a flashlight onto a white card; incident and reflected light meet at the mirror, clean physical arrangement, no arrows or labels.
Etymology
reLatinback
+flectLatinto bend

The literal image is “bending back”: something is turned back rather than continuing onward. Applied to a surface, this became throwing back light or images, and later sound.

In context

LEARN ANIMATED1:09
the reflection of sound waves of a surface and back to the listener is its echo outdoors particularly in valleys sound waves will reflect off distant surfaces
SOUND ECHO ANIMATED

More examples

  • The still pond reflects the trees along its banks.
  • The canyon walls reflect sound, creating an echo.
  • Fresh snow reflects much of the sunlight that hits it.

Forms

reflect · reflects · reflected · reflecting

reflection noun — An image or wave a surface returns.

reflective adjective — Able to send light or other waves back.

Similar words

bounce
Describes waves rebounding, without necessarily producing a clear image.
mirror
Specifically reproduces an image, rather than returning waves generally.