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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Reaction: Meaning, Examples, and Common Usage (3 meaning)

Meaning 1：response (reaction)

reaction 🔊

/riˈækʃən/

Something you do or say in response to an event or another person's action.

Person showing surprised reaction while watching TV

response 🔊

➕

/rɪˈspɑːns/

A word or action done as a result of something that happens.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

re- (back) + action (from Latin 'actio', a doing).

💡 Mnemonic

Re-action: you 're-act' to something that happened before.

📖 Example

My brother’s first reaction to seeing the surprise party was to scream in excitement. 🔊 My brother’s first reaction to seeing the surprise party was to scream in excitement.

🔗 Collocations

knee-jerk reaction – An automatic, unthinking response.

immediate reaction – A response that happens without delay.

chain reaction – A series of events where each causes the next.

🔄 Synonyms

response (n.) – An answer or reply to something.

reply (n.) – Something said or written in answer.

feedback (n.) – Information about reactions to a product or performance.

🚫 Antonyms

action (n.) – The process of doing something, often initiating rather than responding.

cause (n.) – A person or thing that gives rise to an effect.

🌱 Derivatives

react (v.) – To act in response.

reactive (adj.) – Showing a response.

reactionary (adj./n.) – Opposing political or social change.

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'reaction' traces to Latin 'reactio', popularized by Newton's third law of motion (17th century): action and reaction are equal and opposite.

Meaning 2：emotional response (reaction)

reaction 🔊

/riˈækʃən/

The feelings and emotions you experience in response to an event or information.

Close-up of emotional reaction with tears and hand on mouth

emotional response 🔊

➕

/ɪˈmoʊʃənl rɪˈspɑːns/

The feelings, such as joy, sadness, or surprise, that are caused by an event.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

Her reaction to the good news was a mixture of tears and a huge smile. 🔊 Her reaction to the good news was a mixture of tears and a huge smile.

🔗 Collocations

gut reaction – An emotional response based on instinct.

visceral reaction – A deep, instinctive emotional response.

emotional outburst – A sudden strong display of emotion.

🔄 Synonyms

feeling (n.) – An emotional state.

sentiment (n.) – A view or attitude based on emotion.

emotion (n.) – A strong feeling.

🚫 Antonyms

indifference (n.) – Lack of interest or feeling.

🌱 Derivatives

react (v.) – To act in response.

reactive (adj.) – Showing a response.

reactionary (adj./n.) – Opposing political or social change.

Meaning 3：allergic reaction (reaction)

reaction 🔊

/riˈækʃən/

A bad physical response from your body to certain food, medicine, or other substances.

allergic reaction 🔊

➕

/əˈlɜːrdʒɪk riˈækʃən/

A harmful physical response of the body to a substance (like food, medicine, or pollen) that it does not tolerate.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：advanced

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

After eating the seafood, he broke out in hives-a clear allergic reaction. 🔊 After eating the seafood, he broke out in hives - a clear allergic reaction.

🔗 Collocations

severe allergic reaction – A dangerous response requiring immediate medical attention.

allergic response – The body's immune reaction to an allergen.

delayed reaction – A response that appears hours after exposure.

🔄 Synonyms

allergy (n.) – A condition of hypersensitivity.

hypersensitivity (n.) – An exaggerated immune response.

intolerance (n.) – Inability to tolerate a substance.

🚫 Antonyms

tolerance (n.) – Ability to tolerate a substance without reaction.

immunity (n.) – Resistance to a disease or substance.

🌱 Derivatives

react (v.) – To act in response.

reactive (adj.) – Showing a response.

reactionary (adj./n.) – Opposing political or social change.