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

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

According to their filing, they submitted a written request for an exemption on March 5 but have received no reply.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Gunsalus did not reply to a detailed list of questions.

From Salon • Apr. 10, 2026

Government lawyers are scheduled to reply to her petition a week after Tax Day.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

“I’m not there, so I don’t see the day-to-day operation,” was his weak salsa reply.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

“An angel in Deadwood,” came the girl’s frail reply.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman

Related Words

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