Meaning & use
reaction
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Meanings
nouncountable
What someone says, feels or does in response to something that has happened.
Grammar: Often followed by to: a reaction to the news.
Patterns
- a reaction to something
- react to something
Her reaction to the news was a loud laugh.
The crowd's reaction was mixed.
I was surprised by his angry reaction.
nouncountablemedical
A bodily response to a substance, such as an allergy or medicine.
Grammar: Often with allergic: an allergic reaction.
Patterns
- a reaction to something
He had an allergic reaction to the nuts.
The vaccine can cause a mild reaction.
She had a bad reaction to the medicine.
nouncountablechemistry
A process in which substances change to form different substances.
Grammar: Chemistry use, with chemical: a chemical reaction.
Patterns
- a reaction between X and Y
Rust is the result of a reaction between iron and oxygen.
The reaction gave off heat.
Students observed a reaction in the test tube.
nouncountableformal
A move to oppose a change or return to an earlier system.
Grammar: Often used in politics: a reaction against reform.
Patterns
- a reaction against something
The law was a reaction against years of strict control.
The movement was a reaction to modern life.
There was a strong reaction against the new policy.
Word forms
| plural | reactions |
|---|
Common combinations
- allergic reaction
- She had an allergic reaction to the bee sting.
- chemical reaction
- Baking involves chemical reactions.
- gut reaction
- My gut reaction was to say no.
- mixed reaction
- The proposal drew a mixed reaction.
- immediate reaction
- His immediate reaction was relief.
- strong reaction
- The speech produced a strong reaction.
Synonyms and how they differ
- response
- Response is more neutral and is often a deliberate answer, whereas reaction can be instinctive.
- reply
- Reply is a spoken or written answer, while a reaction need not use words.
- feedback
- Feedback is information given about work, not a spontaneous reaction.
- backlash
- Backlash is a strong negative public reaction to something.
Opposites
Word family
- react verb
- to respond to something
- reactive adjective
- responding to events instead of planning
- reactionary adjective
- opposed to political or social change
- reactor noun
- a device for nuclear reactions
- overreaction noun
- an excessive response
Commonly confused: reaction or reflection? reaction or response?
reaction vs reflection
Reflection is an image in a mirror or serious thought, not a response to an event.
reaction vs response
Response often suggests a considered answer, while reaction is usually quicker and less planned.
Practice
What was your ______ when you heard you had won?
Choose one answer.
Reaction is the noun, and it fits after your. React is a verb, reactive is an adjective, and reactor is a device.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “reaction”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.