reciprocal

Q: Can reciprocity be mutual?

Reciprocal and mutual share a good deal of meaning; the former may be defined as "shared, felt, or shown by both sides," and the latter as "shared in common." Based on this semantic overlap some usage guides caution against using any form of the two words ( mutually reciprocal , or mutual reciprocity ) together, on the grounds that it is redundant.

Q: Is 'reciprocity' a noun or verb?

Reciprocity is a noun. The verb form of the word is reciprocate ; the adjective is reciprocal , and the adverb is reciprocally .

adjective

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re·cip·ro·cal | \ ri-ˈsi-prə-kəl

Definition of reciprocal

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : inversely related : opposite

b : of, constituting, or resulting from paired crosses in which the kind that supplies the male parent of the first cross supplies the female parent of the second cross and vice versa

2 : shared, felt, or shown by both sides

3 : serving to reciprocate : consisting of or functioning as a return in kind the reciprocal devastation of nuclear war

4a : mutually corresponding agreed to extend reciprocal privileges to each other's citizens

b : marked by or based on reciprocity reciprocal trade agreements

reciprocal

noun

Definition of reciprocal (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : something in a reciprocal relationship to another

2 : either of a pair of numbers (such as ²/₃ and ³/₂ or 9 and ¹/₉) whose product is one broadly : multiplicative inverse

Other Words from reciprocal Synonyms & Antonyms Frequently Asked Questions About reciprocal More Example Sentences Learn More about reciprocal

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Frequently Asked Questions About reciprocal

What is the difference between reciprocity and endorsement?

Each of these words has multiple meanings, some of which are similar, and others of which are not. Reciprocity may mean "a mutual exchange of privileges" and is often applied to things such as professional certification (neighboring states may have a reciprocal agreement so that certification a worker needs is applicable in each). Endorsement may mean "sanction, approval" or simply refer to "the act or process of endorsing."

Can reciprocity be mutual?

Reciprocal and mutual share a good deal of meaning; the former may be defined as "shared, felt, or shown by both sides," and the latter as "shared in common." Based on this semantic overlap some usage guides caution against using any form of the two words (mutually reciprocal, or mutual reciprocity) together, on the grounds that it is redundant.

Is reciprocity a noun or verb?

Reciprocity is a noun. The verb form of the word is reciprocate; the adjective is reciprocal, and the adverb is reciprocally.

Examples of reciprocal in a Sentence

Adjective the two nations agreed to give reciprocal work rights to each other's citizens, thus facilitating the daily border crossings of workers from both countries

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective But every unfair disadvantage has its reciprocal, unfair advantage. — Cnn Staff, CNN, "Two Viruses: Dr. Sanjay Gupta's coronavirus podcast for June 5," 5 June 2020 China and India's trade relationship is far from reciprocal. — Grady Mcgregor, Fortune, "How India’s ‘Made in China’ boycott could backfire," 30 June 2020 Our increasingly armed society makes such a reciprocal relationship nigh impossible; the toxic vigilantism of gun culture not only infects relations between citizens and police, but relations among citizens themselves. — Firmin Debrabander, The New Republic, "America’s Cop Problem Is Also a Gun Problem," 24 June 2020 Meridy said the relationship between seniors and young volunteers is reciprocal. — Amy Chillag, CNN, "They bonded over bagels and lox, then Covid-19 hit. Now this 82-year-old and his millennial friend bond over Zoom," 23 June 2020 The Portuguese government requires that all entry be reciprocal, so visitors from the U.S. without a Portuguese passport cannot currently enter (this is in effect until the U.S. lifts its entry restrictions on E.U. residents). — Julia Buckley, Condé Nast Traveler, "How Countries in Europe are Reopening," 15 June 2020 The organizations offer reciprocal discounts at each gallery store, and may share online gallery resources. — Anne Nickoloff, cleveland, "Cleveland’s art galleries adapt to new business during coronavirus pandemic," 15 June 2020 By signaling his commitment to that, Abbas was also inviting Jewish Israelis to make the reciprocal pledge. — Omri Boehm, The New York Review of Books, "After Liberal Zionism, the One Hope for a Democratic Israel," 9 June 2020 To assist with balance and forward momentum the arms swing in a reciprocal manner, the opposite arm swings forward with the leading foot. — Popular Science, "Walking correctly takes work—here’s how to improve every step," 22 May 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun For now, one hint that TKV may have an edge is that the reciprocals of the series of angles produced by the model, unlike those in the older model, follow a nearly periodic progression. — Quanta Magazine, "What’s the Magic Behind Graphene’s ‘Magic’ Angle?," 28 May 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'reciprocal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

21 Jul 2020

Cite this Entry

“Reciprocal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reciprocal. Accessed 8 Aug. 2020.

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More Definitions for reciprocal

reciprocal

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of reciprocal

—used to describe a relationship in which two people or groups agree to do something similar for each other, to allow each other to have the same rights, etc.

See the full definition for reciprocal in the English Language Learners Dictionary

reciprocal

noun

re·cip·ro·cal | \ ri-ˈsi-prə-kəl

Kids Definition of reciprocal

: one of a pair of numbers (as 9 and ¹/₉, ²/₃ and ³/₂) whose product is one

reciprocal

adjective

re·cip·ro·cal | \ ri-ˈsip-rə-kəl

Medical Definition of reciprocal

1 : inversely related

2 : of, constituting, or resulting from paired crosses in which the kind that supplies the male parent of the first cross supplies the female parent of the second cross and vice versa

3 : shared, felt, or shown by both sides

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reciprocal

adjective

re·cip·ro·cal | \ ri-ˈsi-prə-kəl

Legal Definition of reciprocal

1a : mutual sense 2

b : bilateral a reciprocal contract

2 : characterized by correspondence or equivalence especially in return or response with another of the same category an … agreement permitting the reciprocal use of each other's land — Ingham v. Block, 351 S.W.3d 96 (2011) also : marked by such correspondence or equivalence between its own components a reciprocal arrangement

3 : marked by reciprocity between states

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