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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Synonyms & Antonyms for reciprocal

Synonyms: Adjective

Antonyms: Adjective

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 The overlap in the biology between viruses and cancer has helped forge a reciprocal relationship between researchers in the two fields. — Mark Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 3 June 2021 When CFOs focus on adding value to the business and serve as enablers of success to the sales, product, research, and other functional teams, then there is a reciprocal respect and partnership when topics like cost controls must be addressed. — Jack Mccullough, Forbes, 20 May 2021 It’s about a society that is, palpably, wobbling on the brink of something awful, with failing institutions, incompetent government, reciprocal distrust among rival social groups, and widespread simmering rage. — Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, 31 May 2021 Amar emphasizes the accretive and reciprocal nature of the political discourse. — Barbara Spindel, The Christian Science Monitor, 26 May 2021 Contemporary tourism and trade continue the reciprocal linkage between an island’s environment and the culture, economy and politics of its people. — Meghan Brown, Scientific American, 21 May 2021 Beijing quickly retaliated with reciprocal sanctions. — Mary Hui, Quartz, 25 Mar. 2021 Or so says the 4-decade-old scallop theorem, which states that a swimmer that cycles through a motion that is symmetrical in time, or reciprocal, won’t go anywhere. — Adrian Cho, Science | AAAS, 13 May 2021 Apprenticeship registration should be made reciprocal. — Preston Cooper, Forbes, 7 May 2021 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, 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

16 Jun 2021

Cite this Entry

“Reciprocal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reciprocal. Accessed 16 Jun. 2021.

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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