reply
verb/rɪˈplaɪ/
/rɪˈplaɪ/
Verb Forms
| present simple I / you / we / they reply | /rɪˈplaɪ/ /rɪˈplaɪ/ |
| he / she / it replies | /rɪˈplaɪz/ /rɪˈplaɪz/ |
| past simple replied | /rɪˈplaɪd/ /rɪˈplaɪd/ |
| past participle replied | /rɪˈplaɪd/ /rɪˈplaɪd/ |
| -ing form replying | /rɪˈplaɪɪŋ/ /rɪˈplaɪɪŋ/ |
- [intransitive, transitive] to say or write something as an answer to somebody/something
- She didn't even bother to reply.
- He was quick to reply.
- reply to somebody/something to reply to a question/an email/a query
- He hasn't replied to any of my text messages.
- She usually replies immediately to comments on her posts.
- reply with something She simply replied with a smile.
- reply to somebody/something with something He replied to her question with a scowl.
- + speech ‘I won't let you down,’ he replied confidently.
- reply that… The senator replied that he was not in a position to comment.
Which Word? answer / replyanswer / replyVerbs- Answer and reply are the most common verbs used for speaking or writing as a reaction to a question, letter, etc.
- Note that you answer a person, question or letter, not answer to them, but you reply to somebody or something:
- I’m writing to answer your questions
- I’m writing to reply to your questions.
- I’m writing to answer to your questions.
- Answer can be used with or without an object:
- I haven’t answered her email yet.
- I knocked on the door but nobody answered.
- ‘I won’t let you down,’ he replied.
- Respond is less common and more formal:
- The directors were unwilling to respond to questions.
- You can only answer a door or a phone.
- Note the phrases in answer to and in reply to:
- I’m writing in answer to your letter.
Extra Examples- ‘I have no idea,’ she replied calmly.
- ‘I know!’ she replied matter-of-factly.
- ‘I really don't care!’ he replied nonchalantly.
- ‘It was your fault!’ she replied angrily.
- ‘No, you're not!’ Graham replied bluntly.
- ‘OK, ’ he replied at length.
- Calvin was insulted and replied in kind (= by insulting them back).
- He didn't reply to my email.
- He simply replied that he hadn't the faintest idea.
- She did not reply directly to the allegations.
- She replied at length, but not to the point.
- Well, you weren't expecting him to reply personally, were you?
- She quickly left the room before he had a chance to reply.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- merely
- simply
- directly
- …
- not bother to
- to
- with
- a chance to reply
- [intransitive] to do something as a reaction to something that somebody has said or done
- reply with something Italy took an early lead but Brazil replied with two goals in the last five minutes.
- reply to something (with something) The terrorists replied to the government's statement with more violence.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- merely
- simply
- directly
- …
- not bother to
- to
- with
- a chance to reply
Word Originlate Middle English (as a verb): from Old French replier, from Latin replicare ‘repeat’, later ‘make a reply’, from re- ‘back, again’ + plicare ‘to fold’.
Check pronunciation:
reply