The meaning of REFLEXIVE is directed or turned back on itself; also : overtly and usually ironically reflecting conventions of genre or form. How to use reflexive in a sentence.

denoting a verb used transitively with the reflexive pronoun as its direct object, as the French se lever "to get up" (literally "to raise oneself") or English to dress oneself

In grammar, a reflexive verb is, loosely, a verb whose direct object is the same as its subject, for example, "I wash myself". More generally, a reflexive verb has the same semantic agent and patient …

reflexive adjective (MOVEMENT) done because of a physical reaction that you cannot control:

Define reflexive. reflexive synonyms, reflexive pronunciation, reflexive translation, English dictionary definition of reflexive. adj. 1. Directed back on itself.

Jan 20, 2026 · "Equals" is a reflexive relation, as it holds for all possible x; "not less" is non-reflexive because it is true only for some x and y, "unequal" is irreflexive, as it never holds between x and itself.

Something that's done automatically, without thought, is reflexive. Things that refer to themselves can also be called reflexive, especially certain parts of grammar, as in this sentence: "I took extra time to …

• At birth, an infant has no awareness of objects other than on a reflexive level. • Here the reflexive pronoun himself marks the fact that him has the same denotation as the subject of the verb, John.

automatic, habitual, unthinking, etc. a smile that seemed merely reflexive, not heartfelt

REFLEXIVE meaning: 1 : showing that the action in a sentence or clause happens to the person or thing that does the action; 2 : happening or done without thinking as a reaction to something