reply

[ ri-plahy ]

verb (used without object)

, re·plied, re·ply·ing.

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)

, re·plied, re·ply·ing.

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

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

noun

, plural re·plies.

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

Derived Forms

• reˈplier, noun

Other Words From

• re·plier noun
• unre·plied adjective
• unre·plying 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

“Every critic encounters one book like that,” was his reply.

From The Daily Beast

Johnson testified that he was the only one to reply, telling the cop that they were almost to where they were going.

From The Daily Beast

He has received no reply from the government to the complaint he sent.

From The Daily Beast

“I had not the most remote notion of what a wonderful man he was,” Darwin wrote of Aristotle in his reply to Ogle.

From The Daily Beast

They received a letter of reply saying their help was very welcome, and to come down and pay them a visit.

From The Daily Beast

I waited three months more, in great impatience, then sent him back to the same post, to see if there might be a reply.

From Project Gutenberg

Before Ripperda could unclasp his lips to reply, the stranger had opened the door, and passed through it like a gliding shadow.

From Project Gutenberg

The aged woman made no reply; her eyes still studied Ramona's face, and she still held her hand.

From Project Gutenberg

"Better so," was the Senora's sole reply; and she fell again into still deeper, more perplexed thought about the hidden treasure.

From Project Gutenberg

"Marco's" reply conclusively proved his possession of a Christian spirit.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• acknowledgment
• feedback
• reaction
• rejoinder
• response
• retort