reply

American  

[ri-plahy] / rɪˈplaɪ /

verb (used without object)

replied, replying

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.

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verb (used with object)

replied, replying

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

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

noun

plural

replies

1. an answer or response in words or writing.

   Synonyms:

   riposte, rejoinder

2. a response made by some action, performance, etc.

reply British  

/ 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

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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

Related Words

See answer.

Other Word Forms

• replier noun
• unreplied adjective
• unreplying adjective

Etymology

Origin of reply

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

Example Sentences

Epstein replied: “Me too,” attaching a photo that was redacted in the DOJ release.

From The Wall Street Journal

Epstein replied: "I will wire your loan amount immediately".

From BBC

Asked whether he met Epstein before or after that picture, Ratner replied: "No, never, never."

From BBC

Asked if he would be intimidated by Pollock's big shock of blonde hair, Mann replied: "I am not intimidated by much to be honest with you."

From BBC

According to the AAIB, one pilot was heard asking the other why fuel had been cut off, to which the second pilot replied that he had not done so.

From Barron's

Related Words

• acknowledge
• answer
• come back
• counter
• react
• respond
• retort