reciprocity

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   A fair give-and-take between two sides, in which each returns a favor, kindness, or advantage that it received.

   Grammar: Not used with an or a plural: there was reciprocity between them, not a reciprocity.

   Patterns

   • reciprocity between someone and someone
   • reciprocity in something

   Friendship depends on reciprocity: you cannot always be the one who takes.

   The two neighbors lived by a rule of reciprocity, swapping tools and favors all year.

   Researchers found strong reciprocity among members of the village, with gifts always returned.

2. 2noununcountablelegalbusiness

   An agreement between countries, states, or institutions to give each other's citizens or members the same rights or privileges.

   Grammar: Often appears in compounds such as reciprocity agreement: the two states have reciprocity.

   Patterns

   • reciprocity with something
   • reciprocity agreement

   The state has reciprocity with its neighbors, so a doctor's license is valid in each.

   Under the reciprocity agreement, members of one library can borrow from the other.

   The treaty offers tariff reciprocity, meaning both countries cut duties together.

Common combinations

principle of reciprocity

The principle of reciprocity runs through all good partnerships.

norm of reciprocity

Sociologists describe a norm of reciprocity in most cultures.

reciprocity agreement

A reciprocity agreement lets drivers use their licence in either state.

lack of reciprocity

The lack of reciprocity in the deal angered the smaller country.

mutual reciprocity

The study found mutual reciprocity between coworkers who helped each other.

Synonyms and how they differ

mutuality

Mutuality describes a shared feeling or interest, whereas reciprocity is about actually returning actions or benefits.

exchange

Exchange is the plain act of swapping things, while reciprocity adds the idea of fairness and obligation to return.

give-and-take

Give-and-take is informal and describes compromise in a relationship, while reciprocity is more formal and more abstract.

quid pro quo

Quid pro quo means a specific thing given in return for another, often in a calculating way, whereas reciprocity can be warm and open-ended.

Opposites

Word family

reciprocal adjective

felt or done by both sides, in return

reciprocate verb

to give or do something in return

reciprocation noun

the act of returning a favor or feeling

reciprocally adverb

in a way that works both ways

Commonly confused: reciprocity or reciprocation?

Practice

Make it your own

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

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