react

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /ri'ækt/

• Audio (UK)

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Verb

Plain form react

Third-person singular reacts

Past tense reacted

Past participle reacted

Present participle reacting

This dolphin is reacting to the gesture the man is making with his hand

This metal coil is reacting to the heat from the lighter

1. (intransitive) If you react to a person or event, you do something because of the person or event.

   When someone shouts at you, you usually react by shouting back.

2. (intransitive) If you react to a medicine or other substance, something happens in your body because of it.

   She reacts badly to asprin. Her skin becomes red all over her body.

3. (intransitive) When two or more chemicals react, they combine to form new chemical compounds.

   Acids and alkalis normally react to form salt and water.

Related words

• reaction
• reactionary
• reactivity
• reactive
• reactor