reflexive
/rɪˈflɛksɪv/
adjective
- Directed back on itself; done without conscious thought, as a reflex.
- The driver's reflexive swerve avoided the deer on the road.
- His reflexive reaction was to pull his hand away from the hot stove.
- She gave a reflexive smile when she heard her name called.
- In grammar, describing a verb or pronoun that refers back to the subject of the sentence.
- The verb 'enjoy' can be used reflexively, as in 'I enjoyed myself at the party.'
- Some languages have more reflexive forms than English does.
- In the sentence 'She taught herself,' 'herself' is a reflexive pronoun.
Synonyms
Antonyms
noun
- A reflexive word or form, especially a pronoun or verb.
- Many languages mark reflexives with a special suffix.
- In English, 'myself' is a reflexive.
- The teacher asked the class to identify the reflexives in the paragraph.