reciprocate

Everyday

1. To reciprocate is to give or do the same thing back to someone who gave or did it to you. tree →
2. To return a feeling, such as liking or love, that someone has for you. tree →
3. (formal) To answer a kind act, a favour or an invitation with one of your own. tree →

In the lessons

A fairly formal word used in stories about friendship, manners and fairness: it tells the reader that something was returned, or not. In social studies and ethics lessons it links to the idea of «give and take» and treating others as they treat you. Phrases: «reciprocate the favour», «reciprocate feelings», «did not reciprocate».

Examples

• She smiled at the new girl, and the new girl reciprocated with a wave. tree →
• When Tom helped me with my maths, I reciprocated by helping him with spelling. tree →
• He liked her, but sadly she did not reciprocate his feelings. tree →
• They invited us to dinner, so next month we will reciprocate. tree →
• Good neighbours reciprocate small kindnesses. tree →
• (formal) The school hopes the visiting team will reciprocate the invitation. tree →
• If you lend a pencil, a friend will often reciprocate one day. tree →

Note

A verb; the noun is «reciprocation» and the adjective is «reciprocal» (a reciprocal arrangement). Everyday speech usually says «return the favour» or «do the same back». In maths, «reciprocal» (not reciprocate) means 1 divided by a number: the reciprocal of 4 is 1/4.