reflexion: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (largely archaic/spelling variant)Formal, archaic, poetic
Quick answer
What does “reflexion” mean?
the process of thinking carefully about something.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
the process of thinking carefully about something; the act of throwing back light, heat, sound or an image from a surface.
A considered thought or opinion resulting from deep thinking; a representation or embodiment of a quality or concept; in optics, the phenomenon of light, sound, or other waves bouncing off a surface.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In modern British English, ‘reflection’ is the dominant standard spelling. ‘Reflexion’ is an archaic variant rarely seen outside historical texts, poetry, or in philosophical contexts (e.g., Hegelian philosophy). In American English, ‘reflexion’ is virtually nonexistent and considered a spelling error for ‘reflection’.
Connotations
‘Reflexion’ connotes antiquity, formality, and sometimes a deeper, more philosophical or introspective quality than the modern ‘reflection’. Its use can be stylistic, aiming for a literary or period feel.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency. In contemporary British National Corpus (BNC) data, ‘reflection’ occurs thousands of times more frequently. ‘Reflexion’ appears mainly in digitised texts from the 18th-19th centuries or in modern texts consciously mimicking that style.
Grammar
How to Use “reflexion” in a Sentence
[subject] + engage in + reflexion + (on + [topic])[topic] + be + a matter for + reflexionafter + [period] + of + reflexion[subject] + be lost in + reflexionVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “reflexion” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- His diary was filled with dark reflexions on the nature of loss.
- The lake's surface offered a perfect reflexion of the moon.
- After long reflexion, she declined the offer.
American English
- The use of 'reflexion' in this 19th-century American novel is a stylistic choice.
- (Modern American examples are non-existent; 'reflection' would be used in all cases.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used in modern business contexts.
Academic
Rare, found in historical philosophy texts (e.g., Hegel, 'Phenomenology of Spirit' uses 'Reflexion' as a technical term for a stage of consciousness). In modern academia, the spelling 'reflection' is standard.
Everyday
Not used. Would be marked as a spelling mistake by most native speakers.
Technical
Obsolete in optics/physics; 'reflection' is the correct term.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “reflexion”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “reflexion”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “reflexion”
- Using 'reflexion' in modern writing (use 'reflection').
- Pronouncing the 'x' as /ks/ (it is silent, pronounced identically to 'reflection').
- Confusing it with 'refraction' (the bending of light).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Reflexion' is an archaic spelling. Modern British English uses 'reflection'. 'Reflexion' is now a stylistic or historical variant.
Absolutely not. Use the modern standard spelling 'reflection'. Using 'reflexion' will likely be marked as a spelling error.
It derives from Latin 'reflexio' (from 'reflectere'). The 'x' spelling was common in English until the 18th-19th centuries, when it gradually standardised to 'ct' by analogy with other Latin-derived words (e.g., connection, inflection).
Virtually none in common usage. It may be preserved in the titles of specific historical philosophical works or used deliberately for stylistic effect in poetry or historical fiction.
the process of thinking carefully about something.
Reflexion is usually formal, archaic, poetic in register.
Reflexion: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈflɛkʃ(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈflɛkʃ(ə)n/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “lost in reflexion”
- “a reflexion of the times”
- “on reflexion (archaic variant of 'on reflection')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the 'x' in 'reflexion' as crossing out the old way – it's the old-fashioned spelling.
Conceptual Metaphor
THINKING IS SEEING (to reflect/reflect on something); IDEAS ARE MIRRORS (a reflexion of reality).
Practice
Quiz
In which context might you legitimately encounter the spelling 'reflexion' today?