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adj

reciprocal

rih-SIHP-ruhkl
adj
1
Given or felt equally by both sides; mutual, done in return.
"Their friendship was built on reciprocal trust and respect."
"The two countries signed a reciprocal trade agreement."
noun
1
In mathematics, the number you get by dividing 1 by a given number (so the reciprocal of 4 is 1/4).
"To find the reciprocal of a fraction, just flip it upside down."

How to Use Reciprocal

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomething that goes both ways between two people or things, or, in math, the "flipped" version of a number.

Common pairings
reciprocal agreement reciprocal relationship reciprocal arrangement

Word Forms

reciprocals plural

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Their friendship was built on _____ trust and respect.

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.

Related Words

Rhymes for reciprocal

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