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• echo
  echo

  noun

  a repetition of sound produced by the reflection of sound waves from a wall, mountain, or other obstructing surface.
• Echo
  Echo

  noun

  Greek myth a nymph who, spurned by Narcissus, pined away until only her voice remained

echo

American  

[ek-oh] / ˈɛk oʊ /

noun

• echoes
  plural

1. a repetition of sound produced by the reflection of sound waves from a wall, mountain, or other obstructing surface.

2. a sound heard again near its source after being reflected.

3. any repetition or close imitation, as of the ideas or opinions of another.

4. a person who reflects or imitates another.

5. a sympathetic or identical response, as to sentiments expressed.

6. a lingering trace or effect.

7. (initial capital letter) a mountain nymph who pined away for love of the beautiful youth Narcissus until only her voice remained.

8. 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.

9. Electronics. the reflection of a radio wave, as in radar or the like.

10. (initial capital letter) one of an early series of inflatable passive communications satellites.

11. a word used in communications to represent the letter E.

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verb (used without object)

• echoes,
  present (3rd person singular)
• echoed,
  past participle,  past
• echoing
  present participle

1. to emit an echo; resound with an echo.

   The hall echoed with cheers.

   Synonyms:

   reverberate, ring

2. to be repeated by or as by an echo.

   Shouts echoed through the street.

   Synonyms:

   reverberate, ring

verb (used with object)

• echoes,
  present (3rd person singular)
• echoed,
  past participle,  past
• echoing
  present participle

1. to repeat by or as by an echo; emit an echo of.

   The hall echoes the faintest sounds.

2. to repeat or imitate the words, sentiments, etc., of (a person).

3. to repeat or imitate (words, sentiments, etc.).

Echo ¹ British  

/ ˈɛkəʊ /

noun

1. Greek myth a nymph who, spurned by Narcissus, pined away until only her voice remained

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Echo ² British  

/ ˈɛkəʊ /

noun

1. communications code word for the letter e

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Echo ³ British  

/ ˈɛkəʊ /

noun

1. either of two US passive communications satellites, the first of which was launched in 1960

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echo ⁴ British  

/ ˈɛkəʊ /

noun

1. 1. the reflection of sound or other radiation by a reflecting medium, esp a solid object

   2. the sound so reflected

2. a repetition or imitation, esp an unoriginal reproduction of another's opinions

3. something that evokes memories, esp of a particular style or era

4. (sometimes plural) an effect that continues after the original cause has disappeared; repercussion

   the echoes of the French Revolution

5. a person who copies another, esp one who obsequiously agrees with another's opinions

6. 1. the signal reflected by a radar target

   2. the trace produced by such a signal on a radar screen

7. the repetition of certain sounds or syllables in a verse line

8. the quiet repetition of a musical phrase

9. 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

10. an electronic effect in recorded music that adds vibration or resonance

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verb

1. to resound or cause to resound with an echo

   the cave echoed their shouts

2. (intr) (of sounds) to repeat or resound by echoes; reverberate

3. (tr) (of persons) to repeat (words, opinions, etc), in imitation, agreement, or flattery

4. (tr) (of things) to resemble or imitate (another style, earlier model, etc)

5. (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

echo Scientific  

/ ĕk′ō /

1. 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.

2. 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.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• echoer
  noun
• subecho
  noun
• outecho
  verb (used with object)
• echo-like
  adjective
• echoing
  adjective
• echoless
  adjective
• unechoed
  adjective
• unechoing
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• echoes
  plural

Participles

• echoing
  present
• echoed
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• echo
  simple
• echoes
  simple
• have echoed
  perfect
• has echoed
  perfect
• am echoing
  progressive
• are echoing
  progressive
• is echoing
  progressive
• have been echoing
  perfect progressive
• has been echoing
  perfect progressive

Past

• echoed
  simple
• had echoed
  perfect
• was echoing
  progressive
• were echoing
  progressive
• had been echoing
  perfect progressive

Future

• will echo
  simple
• will have echoed
  perfect
• will be echoing
  progressive
• will have been echoing
  perfect progressive

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Etymology

Origin of echo

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English ecco, from Latin ēchō, from Greek, akin to ēchḗ “sound”

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Explanation

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

echo Echo echoes echoed echoing

Those reasons echo concerns expressed by the other governors who have granted mass clemencies to people under death sentences.

From Slate ● Nov. 5, 2026

In an echo of “Top Gun,” images show crews in bright vests giving hand signals before launch.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2026

Its neglected husk is a missed opportunity: Why echo Gehry from across the street when you could engage the work already there?

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2026

Hedge funder Ken Griffin, who owns market maker Citadel Securities, appeared to echo that comment recently — saying that while AI stocks are probably in a bubble, they are still worth holding on to.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 26, 2026

In my mind, I echo: I will, I will.

From "Will’s Race for Home" by Jewell Parker Rhodes

A makeshift storefront houses an “anarchist bookstore” with activities organized by Matthew James-Wilson, who operates the Heavy Manners lending library and gallery in Echo Park.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2026

The Echo project, based at York House in Manor Top, Sheffield, sells pre-loved clothing, including coats, shoes, sportswear and school uniforms.

From BBC ● Oct. 28, 2026

"It feels a bit absurd," said shopper Echo Wang, 31, who works in marketing.

From Barron's ● Oct. 18, 2026

It has shops in Echo Park, Los Angeles and Prospect Heights, Brooklyn—one of the many places in New York City that has become as known for its lines as it has for its menu.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026

And Echo cried in answer, Oh, woe, woe for Adonis.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

Singer’s warning echoes fellow hedge-fund manager Ken Griffin’s comments last month about the AI boom bearing all the hallmarks of a speculative bubble.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 3, 2026

The dispute echoes a growing pattern in consensus-based global negotiations, where oil-producing countries are accused of frustrating efforts to tackle fossil fuels, plastic trash and other environmental harm.

From Barron's ● Oct. 29, 2026

Flav’s note echoes the message Valkyries stars Veronica Burton and Kiah Stokes sent after Monday’s win to encourage their fans to tune in to Game 6.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2026

Cubr’s experience echoes countless others who made their way to “The Devils” in its first week.

From Salon ● Oct. 22, 2026

His call echoes through the room as the door shuts between us.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer

Henry's father, Mark Nowak, echoed this: "It's an absolute disgrace. Let's be honest."

From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2026

That was effectively echoed by Glenn Hubbard, a former economic adviser to George W. Bush and now a Columbia Business School professor, when Lila and I talked with him last week.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2026

Revolutionary Guards spokesman Hossein Mohebbi on Sunday echoed a warning issued a day earlier in a written message by Iran's new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.

From Barron's ● Nov. 1, 2026

That sentiment echoed in my mind throughout “Everest: The Other Side,” the remarkable new documentary from National Geographic, helmed by “Free Solo” and “Nyad” co-directors Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin.

From Salon ● Nov. 1, 2026

But there was only a throbbing pain in my temple as the words “There is no cure” echoed deeper in my brain.

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas

Still, he maintained, echoing a similar statement after polls closed Tuesday, that he'd "do it again" despite the election hammering.

From Barron's ● Nov. 4, 2026

"We are devastated," Cecilio said, echoing the sentiment of the dozens of families affected by one of Europe's deadliest train disasters this century.

From Barron's ● Oct. 30, 2026

At a local Caribbean cafe, complete with pastel floral tiles, plastic-covered couches, and the trills of guitar from “Pa’ Que Retozen” echoing through maxed-out speakers, he explains how it all began.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2026

Sometimes, Musk joined the fray, echoing critical posts.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026

Over the sound of her own rushing breath, Anya heard a distant voice echoing through the forest: “Anya!”

From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack

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Related Words

• mirror
• parallel
• recall
• reflect
• reiterate
• resound
• respond
• reverberate
• ring

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