my reflection

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   the image of yourself that you see in a mirror, glass, or water

   Grammar: Used with the possessive 'my'; the plural is 'my reflections' only when you mean several images.

   Patterns

   • see my reflection
   • catch a glimpse of my reflection
   • my reflection in the mirror

   I saw my reflection in the shop window and stopped to fix my hair.

   She stared at her reflection in the dark water.

   My reflection looked tired after the long flight.

2. 2phraseusually pluralformal

   a careful thought or written comment that I have about something

   Grammar: In this sense it is usually plural: 'my reflections on the event'. The singular 'my reflection' sounds literary.

   Patterns

   • my reflections on something
   • share my reflections

   The teacher asked us to write our reflections on the novel.

   In his speech he offered his reflections on a long career.

Common combinations

see my reflection

I bent over the sink and saw my reflection.

my reflection in the mirror

My reflection in the mirror showed a stranger.

catch my reflection

I caught my reflection in the elevator doors.

my reflections on

She published her reflections on the war.

Synonyms and how they differ

image

More general; 'my image' can mean my public reputation, not just what a mirror shows.

mirror image

Emphasizes an exact reversed copy, often used in science or photography.

Word family

reflect verb

To show an image, or to think carefully.

reflective adjective

Thinking deeply, or able to reflect light.

Commonly confused: my reflection or reflexion?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “my reflection”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words