reply

[ri-plahy]

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

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• replier noun
• unreplied adjective
• unreplying adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of reply¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of reply¹

C14: from Old French replier to fold again, reply, from Latin replicāre to fold back, from _re- + plicāre to fold

Synonym Study

See answer.

Example Sentences

The US president has said he wants to talk, but there has been no reply from Pyongyang.

Read more on BBC

When Theodora pressed her on her assertion that she had never heard her husband was bipolar, she replied, “He had a drug addiction.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In a note replying to The Times after we asked fans about the superstitions they observed to help the Dodgers win, Chavarin said that his pet was a key player for the Boys in Blue.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Representatives for Evans and Baptista did not reply immediately Tuesday to The Times’ request for comment.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Asked about undisclosed investments at the 2022 annual meeting, Munger replied that “we disclose what we have to” and that the company likes to keep confidential what it legally can, as does Berkshire.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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