reciprocal

American  

[ri-sip-ruh-kuhl] / rɪˈsɪp rə kəl /

adjective

1. given or felt by each toward the other; mutual.

   reciprocal respect.

2. given, performed, felt, etc., in return.

   reciprocal aid.

3. matching; corresponding; equivalent.

   reciprocal privileges at other health clubs.

4. Grammar. (of a pronoun or verb) expressing mutual relationship or action.

   “Each other” and “one another” are reciprocal pronouns.

5. inversely corresponding; opposing.

   reciprocal muscles in your back.

6. Mathematics. noting expressions, relations, etc., involving reciprocals.

   a reciprocal function.

7. Navigation. bearing in a direction 180° to a given direction; back.

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noun

1. something that is reciprocal to something else.

   Faith and fear are reciprocals.

2. Also called multiplicative inverse.  Mathematics. the ratio of unity to a given quantity or expression; that by which the given quantity or expression is multiplied to produce unity.

   The reciprocal of x is 1/x.

reciprocal British  

/ rɪˈsɪprəkəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or designating something given by each of two people, countries, etc, to the other; mutual

   reciprocal friendship

   reciprocal trade

2. given or done in return

   a reciprocal favour

3. (of a pronoun) indicating that action is given and received by each subject; for example, each other in the sentence they started to shout at each other

4. maths of or relating to a number or quantity divided into one

5. nautical denoting a course or bearing that is 180° from the previous or assumed one

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noun

1. something that is reciprocal

2. Also called: inverse.  maths a number or quantity that when multiplied by a given number or quantity gives a product of one

   the reciprocal of 2 is 0.5

reciprocal Scientific  

/ rĭ-sĭp′rə-kəl /

1. Either of a pair of numbers whose product is 1. For example, the number 3 is the reciprocal of 1/3.

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reciprocal Cultural  

1. The number by which a given number must be multiplied to get a result of one. The reciprocal of one-half, for example, is two.

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Usage

What does reciprocal mean? Reciprocal is an adjective used to describe things that involve an action done in response to another action in a way that is equivalent to it.To perform such an action is to reciprocate, and the act of doing so is called reciprocation. For example, when someone does you a favor, you can reciprocate by doing something nice for them.The word reciprocal is typically used to describe actions, relationships, or other things that involve such actions. Synonyms include mutual, equivalent, corresponding, matching, and complementary.Reciprocal can also be used as a noun. It can be used in a general way to mean something that is equivalent to something else—similar to the term counterpart.In mathematics, it’s used as a noun in a more specific way to refer to the number by which another number must be multiplied to get a result of one. For example, the reciprocal of ½ is 2 (which, in the form of a fraction, is 2/1). In math, a reciprocal is also called an inverse.Relatedly, reciprocal can also be used as an adjective to mean opposite or inversely related (which is just about the opposite of what reciprocal is generally used to mean).Example: The two museums offer a reciprocal membership, which means it gives you visiting privileges at both.

Related Words

See mutual.

Other Word Forms

• nonreciprocal adjective
• reciprocality noun
• reciprocally adverb
• reciprocalness noun
• unreciprocal adjective

Etymology

Origin of reciprocal

First recorded in 1560–70; from Latin reciproc(us) “returning, reciprocal” + -al ¹

Example Sentences

The move is not reciprocal -- North Koreans remain banned from accessing any South Korean content at all and risk heavy penalties if caught doing so.

From Barron's

It also “reflected resilient global economy and export demand, some front-loading ahead of reciprocal tariff pressures and also broad-based gains across key sectors,” the chief economist adds.

From The Wall Street Journal

Turkey and Armenia on Monday announced a reciprocal easing of visa procedures from January 1, 2026, as part of normalising relations between the two countries, both foreign ministries said.

From Barron's

Navy to “control sea lanes,” and use “tariffs and reciprocal trade agreements as powerful tools” to make the Western Hemisphere “an increasingly attractive market for American commerce.”

From Salon

The relationship between Spike and Brooklyn is longstanding and reciprocal, shaped by history, presence and place.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• complementary
• mutual