a repetition of sound produced by the reflection of sound waves from a wall, mountain, or other obstructing surface.
a sound heard again near its source after being reflected.
any repetition or close imitation, as of the ideas or opinions of another.
a person who reflects or imitates another.
a sympathetic or identical response, as to sentiments expressed.
a lingering trace or effect.
(initial capital letter) a mountain nymph who pined away for love of the beautiful youth Narcissus until only her voice remained.
Cards. the play of a high card and then a low card in the suit led by one's partner as a signal to continue leading the suit, as in bridge, or to lead a trump, as in whist.
Electronics. the reflection of a radio wave, as in radar or the like.
(initial capital letter) one of an early series of inflatable passive communications satellites.
a word used in communications to represent the letter E.
to emit an echo; resound with an echo.
The hall echoed with cheers.
to be repeated by or as by an echo.
Shouts echoed through the street.
to repeat by or as by an echo; emit an echo of.
The hall echoes the faintest sounds.
to repeat or imitate the words, sentiments, etc., of (a person).
to repeat or imitate (words, sentiments, etc.).
the reflection of sound or other radiation by a reflecting medium, esp a solid object
the sound so reflected
a repetition or imitation, esp an unoriginal reproduction of another's opinions
something that evokes memories, esp of a particular style or era
(sometimes plural) an effect that continues after the original cause has disappeared; repercussion
the echoes of the French Revolution
a person who copies another, esp one who obsequiously agrees with another's opinions
the signal reflected by a radar target
the trace produced by such a signal on a radar screen
the repetition of certain sounds or syllables in a verse line
the quiet repetition of a musical phrase
Also called: echo organ. echo stop. a manual or stop on an organ that controls a set of quiet pipes that give the illusion of sounding at a distance
an electronic effect in recorded music that adds vibration or resonance
to resound or cause to resound with an echo
the cave echoed their shouts
(intr) (of sounds) to repeat or resound by echoes; reverberate
(tr) (of persons) to repeat (words, opinions, etc), in imitation, agreement, or flattery
(tr) (of things) to resemble or imitate (another style, earlier model, etc)
(tr) (of a computer) to display (a character) on the screen of a visual display unit as a response to receiving that character from a keyboard entry
A repeated sound that is caused by the reflection of sound waves from a surface. The sound is heard more than once because of the time difference between the initial production of the sound waves and their return from the reflecting surface.
A wave that carries a signal and is reflected. Echoes of radio signals (carried by electromagnetic waves) are used in radar to detect the location or velocity of distant objects.
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English ecco, from Latin ēchō, from Greek, akin to ēchḗ “sound”
An echo is a repetition or imitation of sound. When sound waves hit a hard surface they might reflect, making the sound bounce and repeat. If you agree with someone, you might echo his or her statement. Poet Don Marquis said, “Writing a book of poetry is like dropping a rose petal down the Grand Canyon and waiting for the echo.” The word echo came from the Greek word for "sound." In Greek mythology, Echo was a nymph who could only repeat the last words of others. You were frightened when you thought someone was following you, until you realized you were only hearing the echo of your own footsteps.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Ms. Colker choreographs the singers as well as the dancers, creating a visual movement that matches the flow of Ms. Frank’s music, just as the set and costume colors echo its luxuriant hues.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026
Those findings echo research from the Employee Benefit Research Institute and J.P.
From MarketWatch • May 14, 2026
Soon, the sounds of boards being kicked and mannequins being punched will echo from a former Pilates studio on Palisades Drive.
From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026
Social media has created the conditions for this “doomer mindset” to flourish: Constant exposure to information, algorithm-driven echo chambers, and excessive screen time distort perception and isolate teens, making it harder to discern what’s true.
From Slate • May 12, 2026
I shut the front door with the softest of clicks, afraid to hear the emptiness of an echo.
From "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
