Pronunciation: /ˈriˌflɛks/

Definitions of reflex

noun an action that is performed as a response to a stimulus and without conscious thought

Example Sentences

A1 Babies have a natural reflex to grasp objects.

A2 When you touch something hot, your reflex is to quickly pull your hand away.

B1 The doctor tested my reflexes by tapping my knee with a hammer.

B2 His reflexes were so quick that he caught the falling glass before it hit the ground.

C1 The athlete's lightning-fast reflexes allowed him to dodge the opponent's punch.

C2 The fighter pilot's split-second reflexes saved him from a potential collision in the air.

verb to react instinctively or automatically

Example Sentences

A1 When you touch something hot, your reflex is to pull your hand away.

A2 She reflexively reached for her phone when it started ringing.

B1 The driver reflexed quickly to avoid hitting the pedestrian.

B2 In emergency situations, it is important to reflex without hesitation.

C1 His reflexes were so sharp that he could react instantly to any unexpected situation.

C2 The athlete's reflexes were finely tuned after years of training and practice.

adjective reflecting back, capable of reflecting light or sound

Example Sentences

A1 Babies have reflex actions like sucking and blinking.

A2 He had a reflex response to quickly dodge the ball.

B1 Her reflex decision to quit her job surprised everyone.

B2 The athlete's reflex movements were incredibly fast and precise.

C1 The doctor noted the patient's abnormal reflexes during the examination.

C2 His reflex actions in a crisis situation saved many lives.

Examples of reflex in a Sentence

formal The doctor tested my reflexes by tapping my knee with a small hammer.

informal I always have a reflex to sneeze whenever I walk into a dusty room.

slang His reflexes are so quick, he could dodge a bullet!

figurative Her reflex to apologize immediately showed her good manners.

Grammatical Forms of reflex

past tense

reflected

plural

reflexes

comparative

more reflexive

superlative

most reflexive

present tense

reflects

future tense

will reflect

perfect tense

has reflected

continuous tense

is reflecting

singular

reflex

positive degree

reflex

infinitive

reflect

gerund

reflecting

participle

reflecting

Origin and Evolution of reflex

First Known Use: 1601 year
Language of Origin: Latin
Story behind the word: The word 'reflex' originated from the Latin word 'reflexus', which means 'bent back' or 'turned back'.
Evolution of the word: Originally used in a physical sense to describe an involuntary response or movement in the body, the term 'reflex' has evolved to also encompass mental processes and reactions in various fields such as psychology and sociology.