reply Hear it!

reply Definition

re·ply (ri plī)

intransitive verb -·plied, -·ply·ing

  1. to answer, or respond, in speech or writing
  2. to respond by some action to reply to the enemy's fire with a barrage
  3. to echo
  4. Law to answer a defendant's plea

Etymology: ME replyen < OFr replier < L replicare, to fold back, make a reply < re-, back + plicare, to fold: see ply

transitive verb

to say in answer she replied that she disapproved

noun pl. -·plies

  1. an answer, or response, in speech or writing
  2. a response by some action
  3. Law the plaintiff's answer to the defendant's plea; specif., the answer to a counterclaim

reply Related Forms

re·plier noun

reply Synonyms

reply

n.

reply Synonyms

reply

v.

answer, respond, rejoin, return; see answer 1. See syn. study at answer.

reply Law Definition

n

A plaintiff’s response to a defendant’s answer or counterclaim in a civil case; a plaintiff’s response (with the court’s permission) to a charge from a third party; in common law, the answer of the plaintiff to the answer or pleading of the defendant; the reply may be followed by a rejoinder by the defendant.

v

the act of responding to a pleading of an opposing party. 

reply Usage Examples

Object

'i: It is the fool that replies, 'I don't want to get rich.

Converse of object

  • receive: I did not receive a reply to my letter of complaint.
  • await: Awaiting replies from all partner sites before revised subcontracts can be sent out.
  • send: We aim to send a full reply to all complaints within 20 working days of the complaint arriving with us.
  • expect: We will keep you informed of the reason for any delay and when you can expect a full reply.
  • post: Be the first to post a Reply to this Thread!
  • leave: Leave a Reply You must be logged in to post a comment.

Adjective modifier

  • substantive: Aylesbury Vale District Council had acknowledged our letter, but had not yet sent a substantive reply.
  • written: Don't rely on written replies: hearing what patients say.
  • quick: Tho it seems at mo Stallman is only just finding time to do quick replies to emails as he is touring.
  • courteous: He had received in reply a courteous reply from the firm, which he he read.
  • detailed: We received 110 detailed replies and are very grateful for the valuable comments and suggestions made.
  • OK: If the SMTP-receiver can accept mail it responds with an OK reply.

Modifies a noun

  • author: Reply author: John Hedges Replied on: 07 Aug 2006 12:40:47 Message: Not squirming at all.
  • slip: At the bottom of that letter was a reply slip for them to send back.
  • subject: JCW Back to top Maddy Posted: Mon Dec 16 2002 05:27 PM - Reply subject: Concerned Wow.

Noun used with modifier

  • xx: Amy xx Reply from: Jemma - 24 Dec 03 Subject: He's wrong!
  • plz: This Sunday there will a very good home game if anyone is interested plz reply!
  • post: Post reply -- London Tuition Wanted Tor 22 Jun Tuition Wanted looking for a English tutor I am a foreign postgraduate student.

Preposition: in

thread: I replied in the thread, reminding him to check on the forum rules about exposure.

Browse dictionary entries near reply

  1. replicon
  2. replication
  3. replicate
  4. replica
  5. replevy
  6. replevin
  7. repletion
  8. replete (with)
  9. replete
  10. replenish
  1. replying
  2. repo
  3. repo man
  4. repo rate
  5. report
  6. report card
  7. reportable position
  8. reportage
  9. reported
  10. reportedly