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

When quizzed about this, the singer replied bluntly: "My friends do not talk to the press, and that's why they are still my friends."

From Barron's

Epstein replied: “thanks but not a very high hurdle.”

From The Wall Street Journal

They did not reply, but hours later the Telegram accounts they used to advertise the content appeared to have been deleted.

From BBC

“Yes—no, this is being recorded!” he replied.

From The Wall Street Journal

This series replies with an acknowledgement of the truth in that image and reminds that we’re all capable of doing better by doing right by others.

From Salon

Related Words

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