react

[ ree-akt ]

verb (used without object)

1. to act in response to an agent or influence:

   How did the audience react to the speech?

2. to act reciprocally upon each other, as two things.
3. to act in a reverse direction or manner, especially so as to return to a prior condition.
4. to act in opposition, as against some force.
5. to respond to a stimulus in a particular manner:

   reacting to a shock by jumping; to react to the word “coward” with anger.

6. to undergo a chemical reaction.

react

/ rɪˈækt /

verb

1. intr; foll by to, upon etc (of a person or thing) to act in response to another person, a stimulus, etc, or (of two people or things) to act together in a certain way
2. intrfoll byagainst to act in an opposing or contrary manner
3. intr physics to exert an equal force in the opposite direction to an acting force
4. chem to undergo or cause to undergo a chemical reaction

Word History and Origins

Origin of react¹

First recorded in 1635–45; re- + act, probably modeled on Medieval Latin reagere

Word History and Origins

Origin of react¹

C17: from Late Latin reagere , from re- + Latin agere to drive, do

Example Sentences

The splintered fluorine atoms, the researchers report, are safely sequestered by reacting them with potassium hydride in solution to form potassium fluoride, a nontoxic ingredient in toothpaste.

From Science Magazine

Ms Riley's parents, roommates and other friends and family cried as the verdict was read, while Ibarra did not visibly react.

From BBC

They started by playing and reacting to video games, but in the past decade the group of friends have branched out to comedy sketches, travel challenges, podcasts and a dating show.

From BBC

The researchers examined the thermal performance of a TCM reactor powered by strontium chloride, which gives off heat as it reacts with water vapor in the air.

From Science Daily

“You can’t control how people are going to react to things,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acknowledge
• act
• answer
• behave
• counter
• feel
• perform
• proceed
• reply
• revert