reconciliation
C1formal
Definition
Meaning
The act of restoring friendly relations after a conflict, quarrel, or disagreement.
1) The process of making two accounts, statements, or sets of figures consistent with each other (e.g., bank reconciliation). 2) The action of making one belief, idea, or fact compatible with another that is seemingly contradictory.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
While it implies a successful resolution of conflict, the focus is on the process and the restored state of harmony, not merely the end of hostilities. It inherently contains a sense of mutual effort and emotional resolution.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in primary meaning. In financial contexts, the term is standard in both variants. The verb form 'reconcile' and its gerund 'reconciling' are equally common.
Connotations
Slightly more formal and 'grand' in British English, often used in serious political or religious contexts. In American English, it appears more frequently in personal, therapeutic, and business-financial contexts.
Frequency
More frequent in American English corpora, partly due to higher usage in financial and accounting language.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
reconciliation between X and Yreconciliation of X with Yreconciliation with Xreconciliation of [conflicting accounts/ideas]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A bridge to reconciliation”
- “To be beyond reconciliation”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The monthly bank reconciliation is a critical accounting control to ensure the company's cash records match the bank statement.
Academic
The study examines the mechanisms of truth and reconciliation commissions in post-conflict societies.
Everyday
After their big argument, they met for coffee and began the long process of reconciliation.
Technical
The software performs an automatic reconciliation of transaction data between the two ledgers.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They managed to reconcile their differences over a pint.
- He found it hard to reconcile his religious beliefs with the new scientific evidence.
American English
- The couple reconciled after six months apart.
- We need to reconcile our checkbook with the bank statement.
adverb
British English
- He smiled reconcilingly, hoping to defuse the tension.
American English
- She spoke reconcilingly about her former opponent.
adjective
British English
- The reconciliation talks were held in secret.
- She made a reconciliatory gesture by offering an apology.
American English
- He spoke in a reconciliatory tone during the press conference.
- The reconciliation process was long and difficult.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The two friends had a fight, but their reconciliation made them happy again.
- My brother and I said sorry for our reconciliation.
- After the argument, a period of reconciliation was necessary for their friendship to recover.
- The bank sends a statement so you can do a monthly reconciliation of your spending.
- The political leaders sought national reconciliation through a series of public forums and truth-telling sessions.
- A successful reconciliation of the accounts revealed a small, previously unnoticed error.
- The philosopher grappled with the reconciliation of free will with a deterministic universe.
- The peace treaty included provisions for a comprehensive reconciliation process involving reparations and memorials.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: RE-CONNECT after a CLIFF. You were disconnected (fell off the cliff of friendship), and reconciliation is the act of RE-CONNECTing the bridge.
Conceptual Metaphor
RECONCILIATION IS BRIDGE-BUILDING / RECONCILIATION IS HEALING A WOUND / RECONCILIATION IS BALANCING THE BOOKS.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly using 'реконсилиация' – it is an obvious loanword and sounds unnatural. The primary equivalent is 'примирение'. In financial contexts, 'сверка (отчетов)' or 'выверка' are more accurate.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'reconciliation' with 'resolution' (the latter is broader). Mispronouncing as /riːˈkɒn.sɪl.eɪ.ʃən/. Using 'reconcilement' (archaic).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'reconciliation' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While common for interpersonal or group relations, it is also a standard technical term in accounting/finance for matching records, and in theology/philosophy for harmonising conflicting ideas.
Forgiveness is a one-sided, internal act of letting go of resentment. Reconciliation is a mutual, relational process that requires action from both parties to restore the relationship; it may involve, but does not require, forgiveness.
Typically, no. The word implies a process that addresses deep-seated differences and works towards a genuine restoration of harmony, which takes time and effort. A quick fix would more likely be called a 'patch-up' or 'truce'.
The verb is 'to reconcile'. It is used transitively (reconcile differences, reconcile accounts) or reflexively (reconcile oneself to a loss). Common patterns: 'reconcile A with B', 'reconcile oneself to something'.
Collections
Part of a collection
Relationships
B1 · 49 words · Vocabulary for interpersonal and social connections.
Public Policy
C1 · 47 words · Language for governance, policy and administration.
Formal Debate Language
C2 · 48 words · Language for structured academic and political debate.
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