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

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."

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 notes

In 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

Word forms

reciprocated past tense, reciprocates singular

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He _____ her kindness by helping her move house.

Etymology

From Latin reciprocare, "to move back and forth," from reciprocus (see "reciprocal").

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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give as good as one gets respond in kind

Rhymes for reciprocate

ate date rate mate fate abate slate plate state grate create update

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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.