reply
rih-PLEYE
Reply (verb) means to give a spoken or written answer to a question, message, or accusation. Example: “She replied to my email within the hour.”
verb
1
To give a spoken or written answer to a question, message, or accusation.
"She replied to my email within the hour."
"He didn't know how to reply to such a strange question."
"I will reply to your letter as soon as I get home."
noun
1
The answer given in response to something.
"His reply was short but clear."
"She is still waiting for a reply from the company."
"In reply to the complaint, the shop offered a full refund."
How to use reply
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo answer, or the answer itself.
When to use it
"Reply" is slightly more formal than the everyday "answer back" but is standard in both speech and writing.
Common pairings
reply to a message
quick reply
await a reply
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Word forms
- Plural
- replies
- Third person singular
- replies
- Past tense
- replied
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He didn't know how to _____ to such a strange question.
Etymology
From Old French replier, from Latin replicare ("to fold back"), which in medieval usage came to mean "to answer" — the same root as "replicate" and "replica."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for reply
See all rhymes for reply →Frequently asked questions
What does “reply” mean?
The word “reply” means to give a spoken or written answer to a question, message, or accusation. In plain terms, to answer, or the answer itself.
How do you pronounce “reply”?
“Reply” is pronounced rih-PLEYE (/ɹɪˈplaɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “reply” in a sentence?
Here is “reply” used in a sentence: “He didn't know how to reply to such a strange question.”
What is another word for “reply”?
Words with a similar meaning to “reply” include respond, answer back, react, rejoin, counter and revert.
What part of speech is “reply”?
Depending on how it is used, “reply” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “reply” come from?
The word “reply” comes from Latin. From Old French replier, from Latin replicare ("to fold back"), which in medieval usage came to mean "to answer" — the same root as "replicate" and "replica.".
Is “reply” a common word?
“Reply” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “reply” have?
“Reply” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to give a spoken or written answer to a question, message, or accusation.
What is the difference between reply and respond?
To reply is to give a direct answer to a specific message, question, or letter. To respond is broader — it can mean answering with words, but also reacting through action or behavior. You reply to an email; you might respond to a crisis. Every reply is a response, but not every response is a reply.
What is the difference between reply and answer?
The two overlap, but there's a subtle difference. 'Answer' usually responds to a question or solves a problem. 'Reply' responds to a message, letter, or remark, whether or not a question was asked. You answer a question, but you reply to an invitation. Reply focuses on the exchange; answer on the resolution.
Is reply a noun or a verb?
It can be both. As a verb, it means to answer — 'please reply soon.' As a noun, it means the answer itself — 'I'm still waiting for a reply.' The form doesn't change between the two uses; context and surrounding words show whether it's the action or the thing.
What is an example of reply in a sentence?
'She replied to his letter within a day,' or 'He didn't reply to my text.' It can also introduce speech: '"Of course," she replied.' In each case, someone is giving a spoken or written answer to something that came before.
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