- [countable, uncountable] what you do, say or think as a result of something that has happened
- to provoke/cause/get a reaction
- a positive/negative/adverse reaction
- reaction to something What was his reaction to the news?
- Often our actions are based upon an emotional reaction to what someone has done or said to us.
- in reaction to something A spokesman said the changes were not in reaction to the company's recent losses.
- reaction of somebody The initial reaction of the White House was favourable.
- reaction from somebody It's just another knee-jerk reaction from sections of the media.
- My immediate reaction was one of shock.
- There has been a mixed reaction to her appointment as director.
- The decision provoked an angry reaction from local residents.
- I tried shaking him but there was no reaction.
Extra ExamplesTopics Change, cause and effectb1- He eyed her cautiously, trying to gauge her reaction.
- Her outburst was a delayed reaction to an unpleasant letter she'd received that morning.
- His reaction is completely understandable.
- Judging by her reaction, she liked the present.
- I was surprised at the reaction brought by the mention of his name.
- The critical reaction to his first novel has been positive.
- The incident calls for a measured response, avoiding knee-jerk reactions.
- The play met with a mixed reaction from the critics.
- The speech got a mixed reaction.
- There's been a drop in ticket sales in reaction to the review.
- the public reaction to the news
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- extreme
- strong
- violent
- …
- get
- have
- meet with
- …
- in reaction to
- reaction against
- reaction to
- …
Definitions on the go
Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.
- [countable, usually singular, uncountable] reaction against something a change in people’s attitudes or behaviour caused by disapproval of the attitudes, etc. of the past
- Some analysts explain the rise of nationalism as a reaction against globalization.
- Her rebellious attitude is just a reaction against her strict upbringing.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- extreme
- strong
- violent
- …
- get
- have
- meet with
- …
- in reaction to
- reaction against
- reaction to
- …
- [countable, uncountable] a response by the body, usually a bad one, to a drug, chemical substance, etc.
- If you have a bad reaction, discontinue use immediately.
- reaction to something to have an allergic reaction to a drug
- Adverse reactions to certain foods can take a few days to manifest.
Extra ExamplesTopics Health problemsb1- a delayed reaction to the drugs
- She had a very bad allergic reaction to the peanuts.
- I believe he is experiencing a post-traumatic stress reaction.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- adverse
- bad
- severe
- …
- experience
- have
- suffer
- …
- reaction to
- reactions[plural] the ability to move quickly in response to something, especially if in danger
- a skilled driver with quick reactions
Extra Examples- Tiredness has the effect of slowing down your reactions.
- Keenan showed lightning reactions.
- She has very quick reactions.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- fast
- good
- lightning
- …
- have
- speed up
- slow down
- …
- time
- [countable, uncountable] (chemistry) a chemical change produced by two or more substances acting on each other
- a chemical reaction
- a nuclear reaction
- To perform the test, add five drops of the solution to the compound and then observe the reaction.
- reaction of something with something the reaction of oxygen with other atoms
- reaction of A and B the reaction of chlorine atoms and ozone
Extra ExamplesTopics Physics and chemistryb1- the energy given out during the reaction
- the fuel's chemical reaction with the surrounding water
- I am studying the reactions between certain gases.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- chain
- chemical
- nuclear
- …
- cause
- initiate
- produce
- …
- occur
- take place
- during a/the reaction
- in a/the reaction
- reaction between
- …
- [uncountable, countable] (physics) a force shown by something in response to another force, which is of equal strength and acts in the opposite direction
- Action and reaction are equal and opposite.
- [uncountable] opposition to social or political progress or change
- The forces of reaction made change difficult.
to event/situation
change in attitudes
to drugs
to danger
science
against progress
Word Originmid 17th cent.: from react + -ion, originally suggested by medieval Latin reactio(n-), from react- ‘done again’, from the verb reagere.
Check pronunciation:
reaction