Reply Definition
rĭ-plī
replied, replies, replying
verb
replied, replies, replying
To answer, or respond, in speech or writing.
Webster's New World
To speak or write as a reaction to a question or other prompting.
American Heritage
To respond by some action.
To reply to the enemy's fire with a barrage.
Webster's New World
To act in reaction or as a response.
The enemy's bigs guns replied to the salvo.
American Heritage
To say in answer.
She replied that she disapproved.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
noun
replies
An answer, or response, in speech or writing.
Webster's New World
A word or a series of words spoken or written in reaction, as to a question or request.
American Heritage
A response by some action.
Webster's New World
The plaintiff's answer to the defendant's plea; specif., the answer to a counterclaim.
Webster's New World
A written or spoken response; part of a conversation.
Wiktionary
Origin of Reply
-
The verb derives, via the Old French replier, from the Latin replicō (“I fold back"), from re + plicō (“I fold"); the noun derives from the verb by verbalisation.
From Wiktionary
-
Middle English replien from Old French replier from Latin replicāre to fold back replicate
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Find Similar Words
Find similar words to reply using the buttons below.