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.
"And I'd argue that, in many cases, it isn't a disorder at all. It instead represents a persistent echo, a relic of this earlier pattern of sleep."
From BBC ● Jul. 19, 2026
The latest efforts echo what happened in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, when airports that were designed for efficiency and ease of travel upended operations to give priority to security.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 4, 2026
The walls carry bottles, cans, jars, and echo hushed conversation.
From Salon ● Jun. 23, 2026
Greenspan’s echo in the U.S. economy is profound, and his influence on the central bank is perhaps even more so.
From Barron's ● Jun. 22, 2026
In fact, it growled so loudly the entire room seemed to echo.
From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova
“Buying a condo now, I love it, because I know what I’m buying,” said Jeff Lichtenstein, a real-estate broker in southeast Florida who owns the luxury residential brokerage Echo Fine Properties.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 7, 2026
Raman was up in other areas of downtown and some adjacent neighborhoods such as Echo Park, home to many young renters who make up a core of Raman’s base.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 12, 2026
Echo & the Bunnymen had to postpone a show after singer Ian McCulloch was injured in a crash.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 8, 2026
Shopping at Vons in Echo Park, Travers said, “Just what I’ve seen of her, and you know, the way she speaks, she seems to be OK.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 2, 2026
“Like him,” Echo sighed, still waving her hand in front of his face.
From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan
Tasneem Abdur-Rashid, an author and single mum of two, echoes Thomas' opinion and wants to relieve the pressure she puts on herself to do something different with her children every day.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
Apple’s suit against OpenAI under Tim Cook echoes a familiar playbook, betting that litigation can delay a rival from upending the iPhone era.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026
Best known as the dream factory, Hollywood also echoes a certain chocolate factory that offers all-access golden tickets to fortunate boys and girls.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 7, 2026
Their instant connection echoes another key principle of America’s founding: hope.
From Salon ● Jul. 4, 2026
He heard the echoes of a helicopter above him, and the crowd craned their necks up as they moved.
From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro
The accusations against Brown echoed allegations from a civil lawsuit Diaw filed in Los Angeles against the musician in October 2023.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
Moments later, on-air correspondent Aishah Hasnie echoed the same caution.
From Salon ● Jul. 22, 2026
Former district head Gidion echoed this almost exactly.
From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026
Her account of Epstein's control is echoed by Sarah Kellen, another former assistant.
From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026
I tested every handhold for loose rocks and moved only in the thunderclaps of cannon fire as they echoed in the gorge.
From "The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" by Daniel Nayeri
With the noisy calls of angry protesters echoing around the tight confines of Ivana Franka Square, within earshot of the presidential palace, Budanov said the government was taking note.
From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026
His images conjure illuminated manuscripts, textiles, hieroglyphics, board games, musical scores, and tribal and children’s art, while echoing the structures of animals, crystals, plants and cells.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026
Seriously, the dude’s shrieks could be heard echoing in the A’s dugout on the NBC Sports California broadcast of the game.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2026
"I don't think a solution solely through armed confrontation is viable," said former admiral Pablo Romero, echoing doubts about De la Espriella's strategy.
From Barron's ● Jun. 20, 2026
Headlights cut through the night, tangling in the trees closest to the yard, as several cars pulled into the grass, the rowdy sounds of men echoing through the still night.
From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland
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.
