reaction
gb/ɹiˈækʃən/ us/ɹiˈækʃən/
A2
English
~ 1300
reakció, kémiai reakció, reflex, ellenállás, ellenreakció
NOUN
A2
1
reakció
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s reaction to [something]
Her reaction to the news was one of shock.
Döbbenten reagált a hírre.
The teacher's reaction surprised the students.
A tanár reakciója meglepte a diákokat.
I was pleased by his positive reaction to my idea.
Public reaction to the new law has been mixed.
Learner examples
My reaction was slow.
Lassú volt a reakcióm.
Her reaction was happy.
Örömteli volt a reakciója.
He had a bad reaction to the movie.
The reaction to the game was big.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'reaction' with 'opinion'. A reaction is immediate and often emotional; an opinion is a considered view.
Meaning
A response to an action or event
Collocations
strong reaction
|emotional reaction
|public reaction
|negative reaction
|immediate reaction
Synonyms
response (More formal and neutral; often used in official contexts.)
Antonyms
indifference (Lack of emotional or active response to something.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|daily life
Definition
Something you do, say, or feel after something happens.
Something that you say, do, or feel because of something that has happened or been said.
NOUN
B1
TECHNICAL
2
Usage pattern:
a chemical reaction between [substance] and [substance]
The chemical reaction produced heat and light.
A kémiai reakció során hő és fény keletkezett.
Rusting is a slow chemical reaction.
A rozsdásodás lassú kémiai reakció.
This experiment will demonstrate the reaction between vinegar and baking soda.
Learner examples
Mixing these makes a big reaction.
Ezek összekeverése heves kémiai reakciót okoz.
The reaction made gas.
A reakció során gáz keletkezett.
Heat starts the reaction.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'reaction' with 'mixture'. A mixture does not necessarily involve a chemical change.
Meaning
A chemical change when substances interact
Collocations
chemical reaction
|violent reaction
|reaction rate
Synonyms
process (General term for a series of changes; not specific to chemistry.)
Antonyms
stability (A state where no chemical change occurs.)
Themes
science
Definition
When two or more things mix and change into new things.
A process in which substances interact to form new substances with different properties.
NOUN
B1
3
She had an allergic reaction to the medicine.
Allergiás reakciója volt a gyógyszerre.
The doctor checked his pupils' reaction to light.
Az orvos ellenőrizte a pupilláinak fényreakcióját.
His quick reaction saved him from falling.
Learner examples
I had a bad skin reaction.
Csúnya bőrreakcióm volt.
Her eyes had no reaction to light.
A pupillái nem reagáltak a fényre.
The medicine gave me a strong reaction.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'reaction' with 'symptom'; a symptom is a sign of illness, while a reaction is the body's response to something specific.
Meaning
A body's physical response to something
Collocations
allergic reaction
|skin reaction
|adverse reaction
Synonyms
reflex (An automatic movement in response to a stimulus; narrower than 'reaction'.)
Antonyms
tolerance (The body's ability to endure a stimulus without adverse effects.)
Themes
health
|science
|body
Definition
How your body moves or changes when something happens to it.
A physical change or movement of the body in response to a stimulus, such as heat, light, or touch.
NOUN
B2
4
ellenállás
B2
ellenreakció
B2
There has been strong reaction against the policy changes.
Erős ellenállás alakult ki a szakpolitikai változtatásokkal szemben.
His ideas met with immediate reaction from traditionalists.
Elképzelései azonnali ellenállásba ütköztek a hagyományőrzők részéről.
The movement grew as a reaction to government reforms.
Learner examples
People had a strong reaction against the plan.
Az emberek körében erős ellenállás volt a tervvel szemben.
The law caused a big reaction in the town.
A törvény nagy ellenreakciót váltott ki a városban.
His speech was a reaction to the new rules.
Meaning
Opposition to change or influence
Collocations
political reaction
|reaction against
Synonyms
resistance (Broad term for opposing force; not limited to societal change.)
Antonyms
acceptance (Willingness to accept new ideas or changes.)
Themes
politics
|society
|core_vocabulary
Definition
When people do not want change and try to stop it.
An attitude or behavior showing opposition or resistance to new ideas, changes, or influences.
Grammar
Dictionary form
reaction
IPA
GB/ɹiˈækʃən/
US/ɹiˈækʃən/
Syllables & stress
re - ac - tion (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ac)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: reaction
- Plural: reaction, reactions
Word family
Expressions
delayed reaction
1/dɪlˈeɪd ɹiˈækʃən/
fixed phrase
A response that happens later than expected
When you answer or act some time after something happens.
Examples
- He had a delayed reaction to the joke and laughed minutes later.
- The medication can cause a delayed reaction in some patients.
gut reaction
1/ɡˈʌt ɹiˈækʃən/
fixed phrase
informal
An instinctive feeling-based response
A feeling about something that you have right away, without thinking much.
Examples
- My gut reaction was that something was wrong.
- Trust your gut reaction when making decisions.
chain reaction
1/t͡ʃˈeɪn ɹiˈækʃən/
fixed phrase
series of linked events caused by each other
A series of events where each one causes the next one to happen.
Examples
- The news set off a chain reaction of protests across the country.
- The argument set off a chain reaction in the office.
- One mistake led to a chain reaction of problems.
- One error in the system created a chain reaction of failures.
knee-jerk reaction
1/nˈi d͡ʒˈɚk ɹiˈækʃən/
idiom
Automatic unthinking response
A quick answer or action without thinking carefully.
Examples
- Her comment was just a knee-jerk reaction to criticism.
- Don't make a knee-jerk decision without considering the facts.
knee-jerk reaction
2/nˈi d͡ʒˈɚk ɹiˈækʃən/
idiom
informal
An immediate unthinking response
A quick answer or action without thinking carefully first.
Examples
- His comment was just a knee-jerk reaction to criticism.
- Don't make a knee-jerk reaction—think it over first.