reciprocal
14 synonyms and 1 antonym for reciprocal, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Given or felt equally by both sides; mutual, done in return.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
nonreciprocal
How to use reciprocal
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
reciprocal agreement
reciprocal relationship
reciprocal arrangement
Etymology
From Latin reciprocus, "moving back and forth," likely built from re- ("back") and pro- ("forward") joined with -que ("and") — the idea of something going both ways.
Full origin of reciprocal →Frequently asked questions
What does “reciprocal” mean?
The word “reciprocal” means given or felt equally by both sides; mutual, done in return. In plain terms, something that goes both ways between two people or things, or, in math, the "flipped" version of a number.
How do you pronounce “reciprocal”?
“Reciprocal” is pronounced rih-SIHP-ruhkl (/ɹɪˈsɪpɹək(ə)l/ in IPA).
How do you use “reciprocal” in a sentence?
Here is “reciprocal” used in a sentence: “Their friendship was built on reciprocal trust and respect.”
What is another word for “reciprocal”?
Words with a similar meaning to “reciprocal” include mutual, two-way, contrary, opposite, converse and inverse.
What part of speech is “reciprocal”?
Depending on how it is used, “reciprocal” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “reciprocal” come from?
The word “reciprocal” comes from Latin. From Latin reciprocus, "moving back and forth," likely built from re- ("back") and pro- ("forward") joined with -que ("and") — the idea of something going both ways.
Is “reciprocal” a common word?
“Reciprocal” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “reciprocal” have?
“Reciprocal” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: given or felt equally by both sides; mutual, done in return.
