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

Asked by The Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon on NBC whether it was true, she replied "no" before detailing what stage conversations had reached.

From BBC

I asked Tesla and Figure to respond to Brooks’ critique, but they didn’t reply.

From Los Angeles Times

He replies: "I don't feel bad because I need the money."

From BBC

It was, many Palestinians say, a calculated reply that put the ball back in Israel's court.

From BBC

None of the male lawmakers she contacted replied.

From Salon

Related Words

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