Standard Lemma guide

reciprocally

adv · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

adv

Meaning 1

In a reciprocal manner; by way of returning (e.g. a favour, insult, etc).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: irreciprocally

2

adverb

Meaning 2

in an inverse or contrary manner- F.A.Geldard

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • inversely related
  • wavelength and frequency are, of course, related reciprocally

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: inversely

Antonyms: none provided

3

adverb

Meaning 3

in a mutual or shared manner

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the agreement was mutually satisfactory
  • the goals of the negotiators were not reciprocally exclusive

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: mutually

Antonyms: none provided

4

adverb

Meaning 4

(often followed by `for') in exchange or in reciprocation

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • gave up our seats on the plane and in return received several hundred dollars and seats on the next plane out
  • we get many benefits in return for our taxes

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: in return

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Latin reciprocusder. English reciprocal Middle English -ly English -ly English reciprocally From reciprocal + -ly.

Across languages

Translations

24 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: реципро́чно (recipróčno) — in a reciprocal manner
  • Catalan: recíprocament — in a reciprocal manner
  • Esperanto: reciproke — in a reciprocal manner
  • Finnish: vastavuoroisesti — in a reciprocal manner
  • French: réciproquement — in a reciprocal manner
  • German: in wechselseitiger Weise — in a reciprocal manner
  • German: wechselseitig — in a reciprocal manner
  • German: in umgekehrter Weise — in a reciprocal manner
  • German: umgekehrt — in a reciprocal manner
  • German: reziprok — in a reciprocal manner
  • German: anders herum — in a reciprocal manner
  • German: wechselweise — in a reciprocal manner
  • Italian: reciprocamente — in a reciprocal manner
  • Italian: vicendevolmente — in a reciprocal manner
  • Polish: obopólnie — in a reciprocal manner
  • Polish: obustronnie — in a reciprocal manner
  • Polish: wzajemnie — in a reciprocal manner
  • Portuguese: reciprocamente — in a reciprocal manner
  • Romanian: în mod reciproc — in a reciprocal manner
  • Romanian: în manieră reciprocă — in a reciprocal manner
  • Spanish: recíprocamente — in a reciprocal manner
  • Swedish: ömsesidigt — in a reciprocal manner
  • Welsh: yn gilyddol — in a reciprocal manner
  • Welsh: yn ddwyochrog — in a reciprocal manner