retort
gb/ɹˈitˌɔɹt/ us/ɹˈitˌɔɹt/
B2
English
~ 2000
visszavág, visszavágás, retorta
VERB
B2
1
visszavág
B2
Usage pattern:
to retort [that] [something]
She retorted that she had already finished the work.
Azt vágta vissza, hogy már befejezte a munkát.
"I don't need your help," he retorted.
– Nincs szükségem a segítségedre – vágott vissza.
When accused of lying, he retorted with a sarcastic comment.
The teacher retorted that the rules applied to everyone.
He retorted angrily to the unfair criticism.
Learner examples
She retorted that she was right.
Azt vágta vissza, hogy neki van igaza.
He retorted quickly to her question.
Gyorsan visszavágott a kérdésére.
"That is not true," she retorted.
He retorted with a short answer.
She retorted angrily at his words.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'retort' with 'report'. 'Retort' means to reply sharply, while 'report' means to give information about something.
Meaning
To reply in a quick, sharp way
Collocations
retort sharply
|retort angrily
|retort that
Synonyms
snap back (More informal and often more aggressive in tone.)
|
reply (More neutral and does not always suggest sharpness.)
Antonyms
ask (Instead of replying, it means to request information.)
|
agree (Responds positively rather than with a sharp counter.)
Themes
communication
|emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To answer someone fast and with strong feeling, sometimes to show you are upset or clever.
To answer someone quickly and sharply, often in an angry or witty manner.
NOUN
B2
2
visszavágás
B2
Her clever retort left everyone speechless.
Szellemes visszavágása mindenkit elnémított.
He couldn't think of a good retort at the time.
Akkor nem jutott eszébe jó visszavágás.
The politician's retort silenced his critics.
She delivered a sharp retort to the insult.
His sarcastic retort made the room laugh.
Learner examples
He gave a quick retort.
Egy gyors visszavágással felelt.
Her retort made us laugh.
A visszavágása megnevettetett minket.
I did not have a retort.
She made a smart retort.
His retort was very short.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'retort' with 'remark'. A remark is any comment; a retort is specifically a sharp reply.
Meaning
A quick, sharp reply
Collocations
clever retort
|sharp retort
|witty retort
Synonyms
comeback (More informal and often used in humorous contexts.)
|
rejoinder (More formal and literary than 'retort'.)
Antonyms
question (An inquiry rather than a reply.)
|
agreement (Shows acceptance rather than opposition.)
Themes
communication
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A short and strong answer to something someone says.
A quick, sharp, and often witty or angry reply to a remark or accusation.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
3
retorta
C2
The chemist placed the powder into the retort.
A vegyész a port a retortába tette.
The liquid was distilled in a glass retort.
A folyadékot üvegretortában desztillálták.
Early alchemists used copper retorts for their experiments.
Learner examples
The scientist used a glass retort.
A tudós üvegretortát használt.
A retort is used in chemistry.
A retortát a kémiában használják.
The liquid was heated in the retort.
She cleaned the retort after the experiment.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with the everyday meaning of 'retort' as a reply; context in science is key.
Meaning
Vessel for heating chemicals
Collocations
glass retort
|distillation retort
Synonyms
flask (A more general term for laboratory glassware; not always used for heating.)
Themes
science
|chemistry
Definition
A special container used by scientists to heat things for experiments.
A vessel, often with a long neck, used for heating substances in chemical processes such as distillation or decomposition.
Grammar
Dictionary form
retort
IPA
GB/ɹˈitˌɔɹt/
US/ɹˈitˌɔɹt/
Syllables & stress
re - tort (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (re)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: retort
- Plural: retort, retorts
Verb
- Base: retort
- 3rd Person Singular: retorts
- Present Participle: retorting
- Past: retorted
Word family
Forms
retorts
noun
retorting
verb
retorted
verb
Related words
reply
verb A2
Expressions
quick retort
1/kwˈɪk ɹˈitˌɔɹt/
fixed phrase
Fast, sharp reply
A short answer given very fast and with strong feeling or wit.
Examples
- Her quick retort surprised everyone in the meeting.
- He always has a quick retort ready when challenged.
sharp retort
1/ʃˈɑɹp ɹˈitˌɔɹt/
fixed phrase
Angry or cutting reply
A short answer that sounds angry or mean.
Examples
- He gave a sharp retort to the rude comment.
- Her sharp retort ended the argument quickly.
witty retort
1/wˈɪti ɹˈitˌɔɹt/
fixed phrase
Clever, amusing reply
A short answer that is smart and funny at the same time.
Examples
- His witty retort made the whole room laugh.
- She is known for her witty retorts during debates.