reflective

reflective — 形容詞

1. A reflective surface causes light or heat that hits it to bounce off again, so t

1.形容詞B2
釋義

反光的

表面能反射光線或熱量的

A reflective surface causes light or heat that hits it to bounce off again, so the surface looks bright or is easy to see.

例句

The cyclists wore jackets with reflective strips so that drivers could see them at night.

這些自行車騎士穿了有反光條的夾克，好讓駕駛人在夜間能看見他們。

collocation: reflective strip / reflective material

Beatrix chose a desk with a reflective glass top to brighten her small office.

Beatrix 挑了一張有反光玻璃桌面的書桌，讓小辦公室更明亮。

同義詞
  • shiny

    less technical; describes any smooth surface that gleams, not only by reflection of light

  • glossy

    describes a smooth, shiny finish on paper or paint, not safety-related

  • mirror-like

    more emphatic, suggesting a surface that acts almost like a mirror

反義詞
  • dull

    a surface that does not reflect light at all

  • matt

    describes a finish that is deliberately not shiny or reflective

文法句型

reflective + noun (surface, strip, paint)

be reflective

用法筆記

Frequently used in safety contexts to describe materials, clothing, or surfaces designed to be visible in low light. The adverb 'highly' is a common intensifier with this sense.

常見錯誤

❌Wear reflexive clothing when cycling at night.
✅Wear reflective clothing when cycling at night.
💡'reflexive' is a grammar term for pronouns (myself, yourself); 'reflective' means able to reflect light.

2. A person who is reflective spends time in quiet thought, often because something

2.形容詞B2
釋義

沉思的

安靜深入思考、反省的

A person who is reflective spends time in quiet thought, often because something serious or important has caught their attention or made them consider things more deeply.

例句

After the meeting, Defne became quiet and reflective, thinking about the feedback she had received.

會議結束後，Defne 變得安靜而沉思，想著她收到的回饋意見。

predicative: become + reflective

The documentary about climate change left the audience in a reflective mood.

那部關於氣候變遷的紀錄片讓觀眾陷入沉思的氛圍中。

collocation: reflective mood

同義詞
  • thoughtful

    broader, can describe both a character trait and a temporary state; less formal

  • contemplative

    more formal; implies active, focused examination of an idea

  • pensive

    implies a quiet, slightly sad or worried quality in the thinking

  • meditative

    suggests a calm, focused inner state, often with spiritual overtones

反義詞

文法句型

be reflective

reflective + noun (mood, essay, person)

用法筆記

Describes a temporary state of mind rather than a permanent personality trait. A person who is 'reflective' in a given moment may not be a generally thoughtful person. Compare with 'contemplative' (more formal, implies active mental examination) and 'pensive' (implies a tinge of sadness or worry).

常見錯誤

❌He is a reflective person who always thinks before speaking.
✅He is a thoughtful person who always thinks before speaking.
💡'thoughtful' can describe a personality trait; 'reflective' describes a temporary state or a current mood.

3. Something that is reflective of a broader condition or quality reveals what that

3.形容詞C1
釋義

反映的

顯示某事物本質或狀況的

Something that is reflective of a broader condition or quality reveals what that condition or quality is like — for example, falling attendance numbers may suggest that the local community is losing interest.

例句

The low test scores are reflective of the lack of resources in the school.

低測驗分數反映了該校資源不足的問題。

pattern: [noun] + be reflective of + [noun phrase]

Yael's choice of career was reflective of her deep commitment to helping others.

Yael 的職業選擇反映了她幫助他人的深厚決心。

同義詞
  • indicative

    direct synonym; equally formal, used in the same pattern 'indicative of'

  • representative

    suggests a typical or characteristic example, not necessarily a causal link

  • revealing

    less formal; suggests the thing being shown was previously hidden

反義詞

文法句型

be reflective of + noun phrase

用法筆記

Almost always used predicatively with the preposition 'of'. The subject is typically a result, symptom, or sign, while the object of 'of' is the underlying cause or condition. This sense is more common in formal writing (reports, analyses, academic texts) than in everyday conversation.

常見錯誤

❌His behaviour is reflective his upbringing.
✅His behaviour is reflective of his upbringing.
💡the preposition 'of' is required after 'reflective' in this sense.