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Reflective vs. Reflexive: What's the Difference?

Reflective and Reflexive Definitions

Reflective

Of, relating to, produced by, or resulting from reflection.

Reflexive

Directed back on itself.

Reflective

Capable of or producing reflection
A reflective surface.

Reflexive

Of, relating to, or being a verb having an identical subject and direct object, as dressed in the sentence She dressed herself.

Reflective

Characterized by or given to serious thinking or contemplation; thoughtful.
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Reflexive

Of, relating to, or being the pronoun used as the direct object of a reflexive verb, as herself in She dressed herself.

Reflective

That reflects, or redirects back to the source.
Mirrors are reflective.

Reflexive

Of or relating to a reflex.

Reflective

Pondering, especially thinking back on the past.
He always becomes reflective in preparation for the new year.

Reflexive

Elicited automatically; spontaneous
"a bid for ... reflexive left-wing approval" (Marshall Delaney).
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Reflective

That reveals or shows; revealing; indicative of.

Reflexive

A reflexive verb or pronoun. See Usage Note at myself.

Reflective

Involving reflection.

Reflexive

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

Reflective

(grammar) Reciprocal.
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Reflexive

(mathematics) 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.

Reflective

Throwing back images; as, a reflective mirror.
In the reflective stream the sighing bride, viewing her charms.

Reflexive

Of or resulting from a reflex.
The electric shock elicited an automatic and reflexive response from him.

Reflective

Capable of exercising thought or judgment; as, reflective reason.
His perceptive and reflective faculties . . . thus acquired a precocious and extraordinary development.

Reflexive

(figurative) Producing immediate response, spontaneous.
A reflexive dislike

Reflective

Addicted to introspective or meditative habits; as, a reflective person.

Reflexive

Synonym of reflective

Reflective

Reflexive; reciprocal.

Reflexive

(grammar) A reflexive pronoun.

Reflective

Persistently or morbidly thoughtful

Reflexive

(grammar) A reflexive verb.

Reflective

Capable of physically reflecting light or sound;
A reflective surface

Reflexive

Bending or turned backward; reflective; having respect to something past.
Assurance reflexive can not be a divine faith.

Reflective

Devoted to matters of the mind;
The reflective type

Reflexive

Implying censure.

Reflexive

Having for its direct object a pronoun which refers to the agent or subject as its antecedent; - said of certain verbs; as, the witness perjured himself; I bethought myself. Applied also to pronouns of this class; reciprocal; reflective.

Reflexive

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

Reflexive

Without volition or conscious control;
The automatic shrinking of the pupils of the eye in strong light
A reflex knee jerk
Sneezing is reflexive

Reflexive

Referring back to itself

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