reply
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
How often you will meet it
Rank 756 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 24,821 times across 139,755 chapters — 0.012% of every word in the library.
It belongs to the first 1,000 words, the band worth learning before any other.
What it means
noun
- a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation also: answer, response I waited several days for his answerhe wrote replies to several of his critics
- the speech act of continuing a conversational exchange also: response he growled his reply
verb
- react verbally also: answer, respond She didn't want to answeranswer the question
reply in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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If reproved, she would reply with a flood of injurious words.
The Dream · Émile Zola · Chapter 1
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Mr. Burton did not deign to reply, but led the way indoors.
Admiral Peters Odd Craft, Part 14. · W. W. (William Wymark) Jacobs · Chapter 1
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His hand was steady, but the attitude was an excuse for not making an immediate reply.
Ethan Frome · Edith Wharton · Chapter 1
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To this letter the council gave a short reply, accepting his resignation, and appointing a successor.
Snowflakes and Sunbeams · R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne · Chapter 1
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Katty made no reply to him, but turned up her eyes, and crossed herself, at the wickedness of her unmanageable husband.
The Station · William Carleton · Chapter 1