reply
[ ri-plahy ]
/ rɪˈplaɪ /
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verb (used without object), re·plied, re·ply·ing.
verb (used with object), re·plied, re·ply·ing.
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.
an answer or response in words or writing.
a response made by some action, performance, etc.
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Origin of reply
1350–1400; Middle English replien (v.) <Middle French replier to fold back, reply <Latin replicāre to unroll, fold back; see replicate
synonym study for reply
6. See answer.
OTHER WORDS FROM reply
re·pli·er, nounun·re·plied, adjectiveun·re·ply·ing, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use reply in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for reply
reply
/ (rɪˈplaɪ) /
verb -plies, -plying or -plied (mainly intr)
to make answer (to) in words or writing or by an action; respondhe replied with an unexpected move
(tr; takes a clause as object) to say (something) in answerhe replied that he didn't want to come
law to answer a defendant's plea
to return (a sound); echo
noun plural -plies
an answer made in words or writing or through an action; response
the answer made by a plaintiff or petitioner to a defendant's case
Derived forms of reply
replier, nounWord Origin for reply
C14: from Old French replier to fold again, reply, from Latin replicāre to fold back, from re- + plicāre to fold
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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