reply
gb/ɹɪplˈaɪ/ us/ɹɪplˈaɪ/
A2
English
~ 2400
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
To answer someone
To say or write something back to someone who has spoken or written to you.
Usage pattern:
to reply to [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'reply' with 'answer'. While similar, 'answer' can also refer to solving a problem, not just responding to communication.
Synonyms
respond (Slightly more formal and often used in a wider range of contexts, including non-verbal actions.)
Antonyms
ignore (Means to deliberately not answer or pay attention.)
Collocations
reply promptly
|reply directly
|reply politely
|reply angrily
|reply via email
Themes
communication
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She didn't reply to my question.
- He replied quickly to the email.
- When asked about the delay, the manager replied calmly.
- I replied that I had no idea.
- They replied with a simple 'yes'.
Learner examples
- I replied to his message.
- She replied to the teacher.
- He replied quickly.
- They replied to my question.
- I replied with one word.
Noun
A2
entity
2
An answer to something
Something you say or write back when someone speaks or writes to you.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'reply' with 'comment'. A 'comment' adds information or opinion, while a 'reply' specifically answers something.
Synonyms
response (Slightly broader; can include actions as well as words.)
Antonyms
silence (The absence of any verbal or written response.)
Collocations
quick reply
|polite reply
|written reply
|automatic reply
Themes
communication
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- His reply was short and direct.
- She sent me a reply within minutes.
- The letter contained no reply to my question.
- I waited for his reply but he said nothing.
- Her witty reply made everyone laugh.
Learner examples
- I got a reply from my friend.
- Her reply was very short.
- He gave no reply.
- This is my reply to your letter.
- I wrote a reply to his email.
Grammar
Dictionary form
reply
IPA
GB/ɹɪplˈaɪ/
US/ɹɪplˈaɪ/
Syllables & stress
reply (1 syllable)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: reply
- Plural: replies, reply
Verb
- Base: reply
- 3rd Person Singular: replies
- Present Participle: replying
- Past: replied
Word family
Expressions
in reply to
1/ˈɪn ɹɪplˈaɪ tə/
fixed phrase
As an answer to
Used to show that what you say or write is an answer to something someone else said or wrote.
Examples
- In reply to your question, yes, we can help.
- He wrote in reply to her letter.
no reply
1/nˈoʊ ɹɪplˈaɪ/
fixed phrase
No answer given
When no one answers after you ask or say something.
Examples
- I sent her three messages but got no reply.
- There was no reply when I knocked on the door.
reply to all
1/ɹɪplˈaɪ tə ˈɔl/
fixed phrase
technical
Email all recipients back
To send an email answer to everyone who got the first email.
Examples
- Be careful not to hit 'reply to all' by mistake.
- She used 'reply to all' so everyone got the update.