Meaning of react In English

• 0 to act in a particular way as a direct result of something else:

  • She slapped him and called him names, but he didn't react.

  • The judge reacted angrily to the suggestion that it hadn't been a fair trial.

  • Many people react (badly) to (= are made ill by) penicillin.

  • Potassium reacts with water.

• 1 to act in a particular way as a direct result of something else:

  • How do you think she’ll react when she hears the news?

  • The State Department reacted favorably to the proposal.

• 2 if prices or markets react, their levels rise or fall as a direct result of something that happens:

  • react to sth How did bank share prices react to last year's financial results?

  • react badly/favourably/positively The market reacted positively to last week's news of the £53.7m bid.

  • react with sth The shares reacted with a 22p fall to 684p.

• 3 to behave in a particular way as a direct result of something else:

  • react calmly/cautiously

  • react quickly/strongly

  • react to sth The union reacted angrily to the threat of job losses.

  • react by doing sth China has reacted to reports of unsafe products by cracking down on its own manufacturers.