reply

[ri-plahy]

verb (used without object)

replied, replying 

1. to make answer in words or writing; answer; respond.

   to reply to a question.

   Synonyms: rejoin

2. to respond by some action, performance, etc..

   to reply to the enemy's fire.

3. to return a sound; echo; resound.

4. Law.,  to answer a defendant's plea.

verb (used with object)

replied, replying 

1. to return as an answer (usually used in a negative combination or followed by a clause withthat ).

   Not a syllable did he reply. He replied that no one would go.

noun

plural

replies 

1. an answer or response in words or writing.

   Synonyms: riposte, rejoinder

2. a response made by some action, performance, etc.

reply

/ rɪˈplaɪ /

verb

1. to make answer (to) in words or writing or by an action; respond

   he replied with an unexpected move

2. (tr; takes a clause as object) to say (something) in answer

   he replied that he didn't want to come

3. law to answer a defendant's plea

4. to return (a sound); echo

noun

1. an answer made in words or writing or through an action; response

2. the answer made by a plaintiff or petitioner to a defendant's case

Other Word Forms

• replier noun
• unreplied adjective
• unreplying adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of reply¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English replien (verb), from Middle French replier “to fold back, reply,” from Latin replicāre “to unroll, fold back”; replicate

Word History and Origins

Origin of reply¹

C14: from Old French replier to fold again, reply, from Latin replicāre to fold back, from _re- + plicāre to fold

Synonym Study

See answer.

Example Sentences

Stopped by TV reporters outside the mountaintop jail on the outskirts of Medellin and asked if he was a friend of Escobar's, the goalkeeper controversially replied that he was.

From BBC

At the hearing, when asked for an explanation, Kennedy claimed he had asked Ms Monarez if she was a "trustworthy person" and she had replied "no", to some disbelief from his opponents in the room.

From BBC

Asked on Friday why he used "sociopath", Mr Linehan replied: "Because the things he was involved in caused great misery to people."

From BBC

To which I might reply, “Is that a problem or a possibility?”

From Los Angeles Times

The actor, who broke out in the 2022 best picture Oscar winner “CODA,” hadn’t yet read a script for the crime drama, but she enthusiastically replied yes to Ingelsby’s question.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acknowledge 
• answer 
• come back 
• counter 
• react 
• respond 
• retort