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 Phrases Containing reciprocal Learn More About reciprocal

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 But that same year, the drag queen and Union Jacks offered each other a reciprocal relationship coming out of the throes of the pandemic. — Micha Green, Baltimore Sun, 26 June 2022 Complicating the matter is that a whole bunch of these folks are simply new to the idea of having a reciprocal relationship with natural places and aren’t yet well versed in stewardship. — Shawnté Salabert, Outside Online, 15 Apr. 2021 Perks include guest admission, 10% off at the museum store, early access to some programming and reciprocal privileges at similar museums. — Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2021 The relationship between hydration and sleep is a reciprocal one. — Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 21 June 2022 This also helps build reciprocal empathy - highlighting the fact that negotiations shouldn’t be devoid of emotions, but rather incorporate strategic emotion management to drive better resolutions. — Kwame Christian, Forbes, 20 June 2022 Charan also hopes to show the film in India, but distribution might be tricky there as the relationship between Pakistan and India is politically fractious and there have been reciprocal bans on films. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 May 2022 Canada was one of the five founding members of the Commonwealth, and its relationship with the royal family has generally been a warm and reciprocal one. — Rob Picheta, CNN, 20 May 2022 Partnerships that leverage private sector resources, civil society and governmental expertise and deliver reciprocal impact are needed now more than ever. — Wolfram Nothaft, Scientific American, 17 May 2022 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 See More

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

22 Jul 2022

Cite this Entry

“Reciprocal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reciprocal. Accessed 9 Aug. 2022.

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More Definitions for reciprocal

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

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