The meaning of RECIPROCAL is inversely related : opposite. How to use reciprocal in a sentence. Frequently Asked Questions About reciprocal.

A reciprocal action or arrangement involves two people or groups of people who behave in the same way or agree to help each other and give each other advantages.

The reciprocal of a number is 1 divided by the number. When we multiply a number by its reciprocal we get 1. Example: 2 × 1/2 = 1. Every number has a reciprocal except 0 (1/0 is undefined) The …

Jan 20, 2026 · reciprocal (plural reciprocals) (arithmetic) The number obtained by dividing 1 by another given number; the result of exchanging the numerator and the denominator of a fraction.

Definition of reciprocal adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. involving two people or groups who agree to help each other or behave in the same way to each other. The two colleges …

Math. the ratio of unity to a given quantity or expression; that by which the given quantity or expression is multiplied to produce unity: The reciprocal of x is 1/ x.

There are 22 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word reciprocal, two of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.