noun
reflection
rih-FLEK-shuhn/rɪˈflekʃn/
The return of waves from a surface.
Reflection of light produces the pear's matching image in the mirror.
Etymology
“Bending back” first named the action of a surface throwing back light or heat. The word then also named the visible result: an image produced by a mirror or another reflective surface.
In context
gazing at our reflection in the mirror we most often see what we want to see the image of ourselves with which we are most comfortable
More examples
- A smooth mirror produces a clear reflection of her face.
- Soft wall panels reduce sound reflections in the recording studio.
- The reflection of sunlight from fresh snow can hurt your eyes.
Forms
reflection · reflections
reflect verb — To send waves back from a surface.
reflective adjective — Able to send light back.
Similar words
- echo
- A reflected sound heard again, rather than any returning wave.
- reverberation
- Sound that persists through repeated reflections within a space.