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.

---

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

---

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”; see replicate

Explanation

Whenever you say something in response to someone, you reply. If your teacher asks why you're late to school, you might reply, "Sorry, I missed the bus." To answer back or respond is to reply, and whatever you say is also a reply. Your reply could be a long quotation from a Shakespeare soliloquy, or it might be a simple, silent nod of the head. You can also reply using a letter, a text, or an email. Reply comes from the Late Latin replicare, which means both "to reply or repeat," but also "to fold back."

Example Sentences

The National Iranian Tanker Co., which according to the Department of the Treasury is linked to the Hero II, didn’t reply to a request for comment.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 3, 2026

AFP contacted the cruise operator Oceanwide Expeditions but has not yet had a reply.

From Barron's • May 3, 2026

She referred further questions to a supervisor, who did not return a call asking for comment, and the company did not reply to follow-up questions sent by email.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026

Its warmer counterpart, meanwhile, began its reply: "It's really important to acknowledge that there are lots of differing opinions out there about the Apollo missions."

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

I reply, my eyes shooting imaginary lasers into Tano.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer

Related Words

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