Definition
Reciprocal describes a relationship in which two sides give and receive in equal measure: a reciprocal agreement, reciprocal trust, reciprocal trade. From the Latin reciprocus, 'moving back and forth,' it carries the sense of a return built into the giving — what one party offers, the other answers in kind. The arrangement is meant to counteract any imbalance in which one side takes more than it gives. In mathematics it has a stricter life: the reciprocal of a number is one divided by it, so the two multiply to make one.
Examples
- The two nations signed a reciprocal agreement to lower tariffs on each other's goods.
- Good mentorship is reciprocal: the student learns a craft while the mentor learns to foster talent.
- Trust between colleagues is reciprocal — withdraw it from one side and the whole bond begins to deteriorate.
Collocations
a reciprocal relationship·reciprocal agreement·reciprocal arrangement·on a reciprocal basis·reciprocal obligations
Synonyms
mutual·complementary·interdependent·shared·corresponding
Antonyms
one-sided·unilateral
Word family
reciprocate (verb)·reciprocity (noun)·reciprocally (adverb)
In TOEFL & IELTS
A high-band word for describing two-way relationships in TOEFL/IELTS essays — far stronger than 'both ways.' It shines in arguments about cooperation, trade, and social bonds ('a reciprocal obligation between citizen and state'). Mind the stress (re-CIP-ro-cal) and spelling. Remember its mathematical sense too: in TOEFL science contexts the reciprocal of a quantity means one over it.