reciprocal

1 of 2

adjective

re·​cip·​ro·​cal ri-ˈsi-prə-kəl 

1

a

: 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

4

a

: mutually corresponding

agreed to extend reciprocal privileges to each other's citizens

b

: marked by or based on reciprocity

reciprocal trade agreements

reciprocally

ri-ˈsi-prə-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

reciprocal

2 of 2

noun

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Synonyms

Adjective

• complementary
• mutual
• supplementary

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

Trump himself liked the idea of one universal tariff; Lutnick and Kevin Hassett, the head of the National Economic Council, were drawn to reciprocal tariffs that were tailored to specific countries. —Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 21 July 2025

Of course, nuclear war is so horrible that the reciprocal fear of surprise attack may never lead to an actual outbreak of war. —Robert A. Pape, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2025

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, 28 May 2019

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin reciprocus returning the same way, alternating

First Known Use

Adjective

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing reciprocal

• reciprocal pronoun

Kids Definition

reciprocal

1 of 2 adjective

re·​cip·​ro·​cal ri-ˈsip-rə-kəl 

1

: done, given, or felt equally by both sides

reciprocal affection

2

: related to each other in such a way that one completes the other or is the equal of the other

reciprocal agreements

reciprocally

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

reciprocal

2 of 2 noun

1

: something in a reciprocal relationship to another

2

: either of a pair of numbers (as 9 and ⅑ or ⅔ and ³⁄₂) whose product is one

Medical Definition

reciprocal

adjective

re·​cip·​ro·​cal ri-ˈsip-rə-kəl 

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

Legal Definition

reciprocal

adjective

re·​cip·​ro·​cal ri-ˈsi-prə-kəl 

1

a

: 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

reciprocally adverb