re·flect 
/rɪˈflɛkt/ verb
re·flects; re·flect·ed; re·flect·ing /rɪˈflɛkt/ verb 1 a [no obj] of light, sound, etc. : to move in one direction, hit a surface, and then quickly move in a different and usually opposite direction — usually + off ▪ The light reflected off the mirror. ▪ The sound of our voices reflected off the walls of the tunnel.
b [+ obj] ◊When a surface reflects light, sound, or heat, it causes the light, sound, or heat that hits it to move or bounce away in a different direction.
▪ A polished surface reflects light. ▪ The tiles are used to reflect heat. ▪ The moon shines with reflected light. [=the moon shines because it is reflecting the light that shines on it from the sun] 2 [+ obj] : to show the image of (something) on a surface
▪ The old church is reflected in the glass exterior of the skyscraper. ▪ The clouds were reflected [=mirrored] in the surface of the lake. 3 [+ obj] : to show (something) : to make (something) known
▪ Her book clearly reflects her beliefs. ▪ Where you learned a language is reflected in your accent. 4 [no obj] a : to cause people to think of someone or something in a specified way — + on or upon ▪ The book leaves out things that might reflect badly/poorly on him. [=things that might make him look bad] ▪ Your achievement reflects well on your school. = Your achievement reflects credit on your school. [=your achievement shows that your school taught you well]
b : to cause people to disapprove of someone or something — + on or upon ▪ His bad behavior reflects on all of us. 5 a [no obj] : to think carefully about something
▪ You should take some time to reflect before you make a decision. — often + on or upon ▪ I've been reflecting on my experiences here.
b [+ obj] : to think or say (something) after careful thought
▪ She was disappointed with their decision, but she reflected that it could have been worse. ▪ “It could have been worse,” she reflected.
b [+ obj] ◊When a surface reflects light, sound, or heat, it causes the light, sound, or heat that hits it to move or bounce away in a different direction.
▪ A polished surface reflects light. ▪ The tiles are used to reflect heat. ▪ The moon shines with reflected light. [=the moon shines because it is reflecting the light that shines on it from the sun]
▪ The old church is reflected in the glass exterior of the skyscraper. ▪ The clouds were reflected [=mirrored] in the surface of the lake.
▪ Her book clearly reflects her beliefs. ▪ Where you learned a language is reflected in your accent.
b : to cause people to disapprove of someone or something — + on or upon ▪ His bad behavior reflects on all of us.
▪ You should take some time to reflect before you make a decision. — often + on or upon ▪ I've been reflecting on my experiences here.
b [+ obj] : to think or say (something) after careful thought
▪ She was disappointed with their decision, but she reflected that it could have been worse. ▪ “It could have been worse,” she reflected.
