verb
reciprocate
rih-SIHP-ruh-kayt
Reciprocate (verb) means to respond to an action or feeling with a similar one in return. Example: “He reciprocated her kindness by helping her move house.”
verb
1
To respond to an action or feeling with a similar one in return.
"He reciprocated her kindness by helping her move house."
"She smiled, and he reciprocated with a smile of his own."
2
Of machinery, to move back and forth repeatedly, like a piston.
"The engine's piston reciprocates inside the cylinder thousands of times a minute."
How to use reciprocate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo give back the same kind of feeling, favor, or action you received.
Common mistake
Mostly used for feelings and favors between people ("reciprocate a compliment"); the back-and-forth machine sense is more technical and specific to engines.
Common pairings
reciprocate a feeling
reciprocate the favor
fail to reciprocate
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- reciprocates
- Past tense
- reciprocated
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He _____ her kindness by helping her move house.
Etymology
From Latin reciprocare, "to move back and forth," from reciprocus (see "reciprocal").
Synonyms
View more →
give as good as one gets
respond in kind
Rhymes for reciprocate
See all rhymes for reciprocate →Frequently asked questions
What does “reciprocate” mean?
The word “reciprocate” means to respond to an action or feeling with a similar one in return. In plain terms, to give back the same kind of feeling, favor, or action you received.
How do you pronounce “reciprocate”?
“Reciprocate” is pronounced rih-SIHP-ruh-kayt (/ɹɪˈsɪpɹəˌkeɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “reciprocate” in a sentence?
Here is “reciprocate” used in a sentence: “He reciprocated her kindness by helping her move house.”
What is another word for “reciprocate”?
Words with a similar meaning to “reciprocate” include give as good as one gets and respond in kind.
What part of speech is “reciprocate”?
“Reciprocate” is a verb.
Where does the word “reciprocate” come from?
The word “reciprocate” comes from Latin. From Latin reciprocare, "to move back and forth," from reciprocus (see "reciprocal").
How many meanings does “reciprocate” have?
“Reciprocate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to respond to an action or feeling with a similar one in return.
