reply

[ ri-plahy ]

verb (used without object)

, re·plied, re·ply·ing.

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)

, re·plied, re·ply·ing.

1. to return as an answer (usually used in a negative combination or followed by a clause with that ):

   Not a syllable did he reply. He replied that no one would go.

noun

, plural re·plies.

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

Derived Forms

• reˈplier, noun

Other Words From

• re·plier noun
• unre·plied adjective
• unre·plying 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

NineFit UK/Handelnine Global Limited didn’t reply to our request for comment, but the other two companies we purchased the knives from did.

From BBC

Representatives for Fox and Kelly did not reply immediately Monday to The Times’ request for comment.

From Los Angeles Times

And when I didn’t reply he sent an alarm clock emoji and told me: 'Time’s running out.'

From BBC

She got no reply when she contacted them to ask what had happened.

From BBC

"Who knows" was the sentiment of their reply, albeit expressed more crudely.

From BBC

Related Words

• acknowledgment
• feedback
• reaction
• rejoinder
• response
• retort