react
gb/ɹiˈækt/ us/ɹiˈækt/
A2
English
~ 3000
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
Respond to an action or event
To do or say something because of what just happened or was said.
Usage pattern:
to react to [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'react' with 'respond', but 'react' often suggests a more immediate, emotional, or physical action.
Synonyms
respond (More general and neutral; can be used for both verbal and non-verbal replies.)
Antonyms
ignore (Means to deliberately not respond to something.)
Collocations
react quickly
|react angrily
|react positively
|react to criticism
|react under pressure
Themes
communication
|daily life
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She reacted angrily to the unfair comment.
- The company reacted quickly to the sudden drop in sales.
- He didn't know how to react when he heard the news.
- The audience reacted with laughter.
- They reacted positively to the new proposal.
Learner examples
- I reacted to the loud noise.
- She reacted with a smile.
- They reacted when they saw the dog.
- He reacted to my question.
- We reacted fast when the phone rang.
Verb
technical
B1
action
2
Undergo chemical change
When a substance changes because it touches another substance.
Usage pattern:
to react with [substance]
Common mistake:
Learners may use 'react' in chemistry without specifying 'with', which is needed to clarify the other substance involved.
Synonyms
combine (In chemistry, 'combine' can mean join together, but it does not always imply a chemical change.)
Antonyms
remain inert (Means not undergoing any chemical reaction.)
Collocations
react chemically
|react violently
|react with oxygen
|react with acid
Themes
science
|chemistry
Examples
- Sodium reacts violently with water.
- The metal will react with oxygen over time.
- This compound reacts with acids to form salts.
- Hydrogen reacts with oxygen to produce water.
Learner examples
- Water reacts with hot metal.
- This powder reacts with water.
- The gas reacts with air.
- Iron reacts with oxygen.
- Salt reacts with some chemicals.
Verb
B1
action
3
Show emotional response to event
To show feelings because of what happens.
Usage pattern:
to react [adverb] to [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with general 'respond', but here the focus is specifically on emotions shown outwardly.
Synonyms
overreact (Means to respond too strongly or emotionally compared to what is reasonable.)
Antonyms
stay calm (Means not showing strong emotion in response to something.)
Collocations
react emotionally
|react calmly
|react badly
|react strongly
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She reacted calmly to the bad news.
- He reacted strongly when accused of lying.
- They reacted emotionally to the movie's ending.
Learner examples
- I reacted happily to the gift.
- She reacted sadly to the news.
- He reacted angrily to my words.
Grammar
Dictionary form
react
IPA
GB/ɹiˈækt/
US/ɹiˈækt/
Syllables & stress
re - act (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (act)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: react
- 3rd Person Singular: reacts
- Present Participle: reacting
- Past: reacted
Word family
Expressions
overreact to
1/ˈoʊvɚɹiˈækt tə/
fixed phrase
Respond too strongly
To act too strongly because of something small or unimportant.
Examples
- He overreacted to the small mistake.
- Don't overreact to what she said.
react against
1/ɹiˈækt əɡˈɛnst/
phrasal verb
Oppose in response
To act in a way that shows you are against something because of what happened before.
Examples
- Many young people reacted against the strict rules of their parents.
- The voters reacted against the government's policies.
react with shock
1/ɹiˈækt wˈɪθ ʃˈɑk/
fixed phrase
Show surprise and disbelief
To show surprise and that you cannot believe something happened.
Examples
- The crowd reacted with shock when they heard the verdict.
- She reacted with shock at the sudden announcement.