Reflective vs. Reflexive

Reflective vs. Reflexive — Is There a Difference?
ADVERTISEMENT

Difference Between Reflective and Reflexive

Reflectiveadjective

That reflects, or redirects back to the source.

Mirrors are reflective.

Reflexiveadjective

(grammar) Referring back to the subject, or having an object equal to the subject.

Reflectiveadjective

Pondering, especially thinking back on the past.

He always becomes reflective in preparation for the new year.

Reflexiveadjective

(set theory) Of a relation R on a set S, such that xRx for all members x of S (that is, the relation holds between any element of the set and itself).

"Equals" is a reflexive relation.

Reflectiveadjective

Involving reflection.

Reflexiveadjective

Of or resulting from a reflex.

The electric shock elicited an automatic and reflexive response from him.
ADVERTISEMENT

Reflectiveadjective

(grammar) Reciprocal.

Reflexiveadjective

(figurative) Producing immediate response, spontaneous.

a reflexive dislike

Reflectiveadjective

persistently or morbidly thoughtful

Reflexiveadjective

synonym of reflective

Reflectiveadjective

capable of physically reflecting light or sound;

a reflective surface

Reflexivenoun

(grammar) A reflexive pronoun.

ADVERTISEMENT

Reflectiveadjective

devoted to matters of the mind;

the reflective type

Reflexivenoun

(grammar) A reflexive verb.

Reflexivenoun

a personal pronoun compounded with -self to show the agent's action affects the agent

Reflexiveadjective

without volition or conscious control;

the automatic shrinking of the pupils of the eye in strong lighta reflex knee jerksneezing is reflexive

Reflexiveadjective

referring back to itself