# reflect

> English word · Verb · IPA /ɹɪˈflɛkt/ · frequency rank #3,717

## Definitions
1. To bend back (light, etc.) from a surface.
2. To be bent back (light, etc.) from a surface.
3. To mirror, or show the image of something.
4. To be mirrored.
5. To agree with; to closely follow.
6. To give evidence of someone's or something's character etc.
7. To think seriously; to ponder or consider.

## Etymology
From Old French reflecter (“to bend back, turn back”), from Latin reflectō (“to reflect”), from re- (“again”) + flectō (“to bend, to curve”). Compare English reflex.

## Easily confused with
- **reject** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/reflect-vs-reject)
- **reflex** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/reflect-vs-reflex)
- **respect** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/reflect-vs-respect)
- **reflected** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/reflect-vs-reflected)
- **reflector** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/reflect-vs-reflector)

## Common misspellings (11)
`erflect`, `refelct`, `refflect`, `reflcet`, `reflecct`, `reflectt`, `refletc`, `refllect`, `relfect`, `rfelect`, `rreflect`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/reflect