refracts

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitivetechnical

   if a substance refracts light, it makes the light change direction as it passes through

   Grammar: Takes an object: The glass refracts light.

   Patterns

   • refract light
   • refract rays
   • be refracted through something

   A prism refracts light and separates it into colors.

   Water refracts light, which is why a straw looks bent in a glass.

   The lens refracts the rays so they focus on the retina.

2. 2verbintransitivetechnical

   if light refracts, it changes direction when it passes from one substance to another

   Grammar: No object; often followed by 'through' or 'at': Light refracts through water.

   Patterns

   • refract through something
   • refract at an angle

   Light refracts when it enters water from air.

   The rays refract at the surface of the glass.

   Sunlight refracts through the raindrops to form a rainbow.

Word forms

Common combinations

refract light

The crystal refracts light beautifully.

refract rays

The lens refracts rays to a single point.

refract through water

The image refracts through the water.

be refracted by

The light is refracted by the glass.

Synonyms and how they differ

bend

Bend is a general word for changing direction; refract is the scientific term for light.

deflect

Deflect means to make something change direction, often by hitting it; refract is specific to light passing through a medium.

Word family

refraction noun

the change in direction of light as it passes through a substance

refractive adjective

relating to refraction, as in refractive index

Commonly confused: refracts or reflect? refracts or reflex?

Practice

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