reply

[ ri-plahy ]
/ rɪˈplaɪ /

verb (used without object), re·plied, re·ply·ing.

verb (used with object), re·plied, re·ply·ing.

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.

an answer or response in words or writing.
a response made by some action, performance, etc.

Origin of reply

1350–1400; Middle English replien (v.) < Middle French replier to fold back, reply < Latin replicāre to unroll, fold back; see replicate

synonym study for reply

6. See answer.

OTHER WORDS FROM reply

re·pli·er, noun un·re·plied, adjective un·re·ply·ing, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for reply

British Dictionary definitions for reply

reply
/ (rɪˈplaɪ) /

verb -plies, -plying or -plied (mainly intr)

to make answer (to) in words or writing or by an action; respond he replied with an unexpected move
(tr; takes a clause as object) to say (something) in answer he replied that he didn't want to come
law to answer a defendant's plea
to return (a sound); echo

noun plural -plies

an answer made in words or writing or through an action; response
the answer made by a plaintiff or petitioner to a defendant's case

Derived forms of reply

replier, noun

Word Origin for reply

C14: from Old French replier to fold again, reply, from Latin replicāre to fold back, from re- + plicāre to fold