Meaning & use
reciprocal
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Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Shared or done in return by two people or groups toward each other.
Grammar: Goes before a noun or after a linking verb: a reciprocal agreement, the feeling is reciprocal.
Patterns
- a reciprocal arrangement
- the feeling is reciprocal
The two countries signed a reciprocal agreement allowing each other's citizens to work abroad.
Their respect for each other was reciprocal.
The gym offers reciprocal membership at partner clubs.
nouncountablemathematics
In mathematics, the number you get by dividing one by a given number.
Grammar: Used with of: the reciprocal of four is one quarter.
Patterns
- the reciprocal of something
The reciprocal of five is one fifth.
Multiplying a number by its reciprocal gives one.
To divide by a fraction, multiply by its reciprocal.
adjectivebefore a nountechnical
Describing a verb or pronoun that shows two parties acting on each other.
Grammar: Grammar term: 'each other' is a reciprocal pronoun.
Patterns
- reciprocal pronoun
- reciprocal verb
'Each other' is a reciprocal pronoun in English.
Some languages have special reciprocal verbs for 'to hug one another'.
The teacher explained the reciprocal use of the word 'meet'.
Word forms
| plural | reciprocals |
|---|
Common combinations
- reciprocal agreement
- The two clubs have a reciprocal agreement for guests.
- reciprocal relationship
- A good teacher and student share a reciprocal relationship.
- reciprocal feeling
- His admiration was met with a reciprocal feeling.
- reciprocal trade
- Reciprocal trade lowers tariffs on both sides.
- reciprocal of a number
- Find the reciprocal of a number by flipping the fraction.
Synonyms and how they differ
- mutual
- Mutual means felt or shared by both sides, while reciprocal stresses giving something back in return.
- two-way
- Two-way is plainer and everyday, and suits communication or traffic, whereas reciprocal sounds more formal.
- shared
- Shared can describe anything held in common, without the sense of an exchange that reciprocal has.
Opposites
Word family
- reciprocate verb
- to give or feel something in return
- reciprocity noun
- an exchange of favors or privileges
- reciprocally adverb
- in a way that works both directions
- reciprocation noun
- the act of returning a favor
Commonly confused: reciprocal or mutual?
reciprocal vs mutual
Mutual often just means shared, as in a mutual friend, whereas reciprocal means done in return to each other.
Practice
What is the reciprocal of 4?
Choose one answer.
The reciprocal of a number is one divided by it, so 4 gives 1/4. Minus four is the opposite, and 4/1 is just four.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “reciprocal”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.