When you reflect, you think carefully and thoughtfully about something that happened or something you learned. After a tough soccer game, your coach might ask the team to reflect on what went well and what could improve. When you reflect on a mistake, you examine why it happened and what you might do differently next time, going beyond simple memory to deeper understanding.

Just as a mirror reflects your image back to you, when you reflect on an experience, you're mentally looking back at it to understand it better. Scientists reflect on their experimental results to figure out what they mean. A student might reflect on feedback from a teacher to understand how to write more clearly.

Reflection takes time and honesty. It's different from just remembering something or having a quick thought. When you truly reflect, you're asking yourself deeper questions: Why did that happen? How did I feel? What did I learn? What would I do differently?

The word also describes what happens when light, sound, or heat bounces off a surface. When you see yourself in a still pond, that's your reflection. Smooth surfaces reflect light well, which is why mirrors and calm water show clear images. An echo is sound reflecting off canyon walls.