respond
rih-SPOND
Respond (verb) means to say or write something as an answer. Example: “She responded to his email within the hour.”
verb
1
To say or write something as an answer.
"She responded to his email within the hour."
"He didn't respond when I asked him twice."
"Please respond to the invitation by Friday so we can plan the food."
2
To act or react in reply to something, such as a stimulus or situation.
"The immune system responds to infection by producing antibodies."
"Firefighters responded quickly to the emergency call."
"The patient responded well to the new treatment."
How to use respond
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo answer or react to something.
Common mistake
"Respond to" takes the preposition "to" — you respond to a question, not respond a question.
Common pairings
respond to
respond quickly
respond in kind
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Word forms
- Plural
- responds
- Third person singular
- responds
- Past tense
- responded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ to his email within the hour.
Etymology
From Old French respondre, from Latin respondere, "to answer, promise in return."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for respond
See all rhymes for respond →Frequently asked questions
What does “respond” mean?
The word “respond” means to say or write something as an answer. In plain terms, to answer or react to something.
How do you pronounce “respond”?
“Respond” is pronounced rih-SPOND (/ɹɪˈspɑnd/ in IPA).
How do you use “respond” in a sentence?
Here is “respond” used in a sentence: “She responded to his email within the hour.”
What is another word for “respond”?
Words with a similar meaning to “respond” include answer, retort, answer back, react, rejoin and counter.
What part of speech is “respond”?
“Respond” is a verb.
Where does the word “respond” come from?
The word “respond” comes from Latin. From Old French respondre, from Latin respondere, "to answer, promise in return.".
Is “respond” a common word?
“Respond” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “respond” have?
“Respond” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to say or write something as an answer.
What is the difference between respond and react?
To respond is to give a considered answer in words, spoken or written. To react is to show an immediate, often instinctive response to something — a facial expression, a reflex or a burst of emotion. Responding suggests thought and communication; reacting suggests an automatic response. You can react without saying a word.
What is the difference between respond and reply?
The two are very close and often interchangeable. Reply almost always means to answer a specific message or question directly. Respond is a little broader: you can respond to a question, but also to a situation, a request or an emergency. Every reply is a response, but not every response is a simple reply.
What is an example of "respond" in a sentence?
You might write, "Please respond to this email by Friday," or say, "She responded calmly to the criticism." The word covers any spoken or written answer, from a quick text reply to a formal statement. It signals that someone is answering a message, question or situation.
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