reply
reply Lexical Profile
reply Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A spoken or written response to a question, statement, letter, or message.
"We are still waiting for a formal reply from the committee regarding our proposal."
• verb
To say or write something as an answer or reaction to someone or something.
"She promised to reply to the invitation before the end of the week."
To respond to an action, gesture, or challenge with a counteraction of a similar kind.
"The visiting team quickly replied with two goals in the second half."
Word Nuance & Usage
When used intransitively before an indirect object, 'reply' requires the preposition 'to' (e.g., 'reply to the email'), whereas its close synonym 'answer' can take a direct object without a preposition (e.g., 'answer the email').
• Rhymes for reply
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 14th century from Old French replier ('to fold back, turn back, answer'), from Late Latin replicare ('to reply, repeat'), originally meaning 'to fold back' in Classical Latin (from re- 'back' + plicare 'to fold').