reply

/rɪˈplaɪ/

/rɛˈplaɪ/

Other forms: replied; replies; replying

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."

Definitions of reply

1. verb

   react verbally
   synonyms: answer, respond

   types:

   call back

   return or repeat a telephone call

   counter

   speak in response

   field

   answer adequately or successfully

   sass

   answer back in an impudent or insolent manner

   come back, rejoin, repay, retort, return, riposte

   answer back

   bridle

   respond to the reins, as of horses

   type of:

   say, state, tell

   express in words
2. noun

   a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
   “he wrote replies to several of his critics”

   synonyms: answer, response

   types:

   rescript

   a reply by a Pope to an inquiry concerning a point of law or morality

   feedback

   response to an inquiry or experiment

   type of:

   statement

   a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc
3. noun

   the speech act of continuing a conversational exchange
   “he growled his reply”

   synonyms: response

   types:

   counterblast

   a vigorous and unrestrained response

   non sequitur

   a reply that has no relevance to what preceded it

   comeback, counter, rejoinder, replication, retort, return, riposte

   a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one)

   echo

   a reply that repeats what has just been said

   answer

   the speech act of replying to a question

   back talk, backtalk, lip, mouth, sass, sassing

   an impudent or insolent rejoinder

   echolalia

   an infant's repetition of sounds uttered by others

   Urim and Thummim

   lots thrown to determine God's answers to yes-no questions

   defence, defense, refutation

   the speech act of answering an attack on your assertions

   type of:

   speech act

   the use of language to perform some act