Reply
Definition
The term "reply" describes the act of responding to a question, statement, or communication, or the response itself.
Parts of Speech
- Verb
- Noun
Pronunciation
American English
- IPA Pronunciation: /rɪˈplaɪ/
- Respelling: ri-PLY
British English
- IPA Pronunciation: /rɪˈplaɪ/
- Respelling: ri-PLY
Etymology
The word "reply" originates from Old French "replier," meaning "to fold back or respond," derived from Latin "replicare," which combines "re-" (again) and "plicare" (to fold). It entered English in the late 14th century.
Derivatives
- Replier (noun)
- Replying (verb, present participle)
- Replied (verb, past tense)
- Nonreply (noun)
- Overreply (verb, rare)
Synonyms
- Respond
- Answer
- Retort
Antonyms
- Ignore
- Overlook
- None
Usage
The term "reply" is widely used in both formal and informal communication. For example: "Please reply to the email by tomorrow," or "His quick reply surprised everyone."
Related Terms
- Response: A reply or reaction to something.
- Retort: A sharp or witty reply.
- Reaction: A response to a stimulus or situation.
Detailed Definitions
Verb
- To respond to a question, statement, or communication: Refers to the act of answering or acknowledging.
- Example: "She replied to his letter promptly."
- To return a comment or argument: Refers to engaging in verbal exchange.
- Example: "He replied with a firm explanation."
Noun
- An answer or response: Refers to the content of what is said or written in response.
- Example: "Her reply was concise and to the point."
- A reaction or acknowledgment: Refers to a formal or informal acknowledgment of communication.
- Example: "The company sent a detailed reply to the inquiry."
reply
She replied to his letter promptly.
He replied with a firm explanation.
Her reply was concise and to the point.
🇨🇳 Chinese (Mandarin)
- 回答 (huídá) - general term for "reply"
- IPA: /xweɪ̯˨˩˦.ta˨˩˦/
- Respelling: hwei-da
- 回应 (huíyìng) - as in response to a request
- IPA: /xweɪ̯˥˥jiŋ˥˥/
- Respelling: hwei-ying
🇮🇳 Hindi
- जवाब (javaab) - general term for "reply"
- IPA: /d͡ʒəʋɑːb/
- Respelling: ja-vaab
- प्रतिक्रिया (pratikriyaa) - more formal or "response"
- IPA: /pɾət̪ɪkɾɪjaː/
- Respelling: pra-ti-kri-ya
🇪🇸 Spanish
- respuesta - general term for "reply"
- IPA: /resˈpwesta/
- Respelling: res-pwes-ta
- réplica - in a discussion or debate
- IPA: /ˈreplika/
- Respelling: re-pli-ka
🇫🇷 French
- réponse - general term for "reply"
- IPA: /ʁe.pɔ̃s/
- Respelling: re-ponse
- réplique - in a discussion or debate
- IPA: /ʁe.plik/
- Respelling: re-plik
🇸🇦 Arabic (Modern Standard Arabic)
- رد (rad) - general term for "reply"
- IPA: /ræd/
- Respelling: rad
- إجابة (ijāba) - more formal or "response"
- IPA: /iːd͡ʒaːbah/
- Respelling: ee-ja-ba
🇧🇩 Bengali
- উত্তর (uttar) - general term for "reply"
- IPA: /ut̪t̪or/
- Respelling: ut-tor
- জবাব (jobaab) - more formal or "response"
- IPA: /d͡ʒɔbaːb/
- Respelling: jo-baab
🇷🇺 Russian
- ответ (otvet) - general term for "reply"
- IPA: /ɐˈtvʲet/
- Respelling: ot-vyet
- реакция (reaktsiya) - as in "response" to an action
- IPA: /rʲɪˈakʲt͡sɨjə/
- Respelling: re-ak-tsi-ya
🇵🇹 Portuguese
- resposta - general term for "reply"
- IPA: /ʁɨˈspɔʃtɐ/
- Respelling: ri-sposh-ta
- réplica - in a discussion or debate
- IPA: /ˈʁɛplikɐ/
- Respelling: re-pli-ka
🇮🇩 Indonesian
- balasan - general term for "reply"
- IPA: /balasan/
- Respelling: ba-la-san
- jawaban - as in "response" to a question
- IPA: /dʒa.wa.ban/
- Respelling: ja-wa-ban
🇩🇪 German
- Antwort - general term for "reply"
- IPA: /ˈantˌvɔʁt/
- Respelling: ant-vort
- Reaktion - as in "response" to an action
- IPA: /ʁeˈakʦi̯oːn/
- Respelling: re-ak-tsioon
🇯🇵 Japanese
- 回答 (Kaitō) - general term for "reply"
- IPA: /ka̠ito̞ː/
- Respelling: kai-toh
- 応答 (Ōtō) - as in "response" to a request
- IPA: /o̞ːto̞ː/
- Respelling: ooh-toh
🇻🇳 Vietnamese
- trả lời - general term for "reply"
- IPA: /ʈa᷉ːj˨˩ lɔj˧˧/
- Respelling: tra loi
- phản hồi - as in "response" to a request
- IPA: /faːn˧˧ hɔj˧˧/
- Respelling: fan hoi
🇰🇷 Korean
- 답변 (dabbyeon) - general term for "reply"
- IPA: /t̚ap̚.pʰjʌn/
- Respelling: dap-byun
- 응답 (eungdap) - as in "response" to a request
- IPA: /ɨːŋ.tap̚/
- Respelling: eung-dap
🇹🇷 Turkish
- cevap - general term for "reply"
- IPA: /dʒeˈvap/
- Respelling: je-vap
- yanıt - more formal or "response"
- IPA: /jɑˈnɯt/
- Respelling: ya-nut
🇵🇰 Urdu
- جواب (javaab) - general term for "reply"
- IPA: /d͡ʒəʋɑːb/
- Respelling: ja-vaab
- عمل دیدہ (amal deeda) - as in "response" to an action
- IPA: /əməl diːdɑː/
- Respelling: a-mal dee-da
