reply

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the speech act of continuing a conversational exchange

   They growled their reply to the harsh question.

2. 2
   verb

   To give a written or spoken response, especially to a question, request, accusation or criticism; to answer.

   (intransitive) Please reply to my letter.

3. 3
   verb

   To act or gesture in response.

   Joanne replied to Pete's insult with a slap to his face.

4. 4
   noun

   a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation

5. 5
   verb

   react verbally

6. 6
   verb

   To repeat something back; to echo.

7. 7
   noun

   A written or spoken response; part of a conversation.

8. 8
   noun

   Something given in reply.

Etymology

From Middle English replyen, replien, borrowed from Old French replier (“to reply”), from the Latin replicō, replicāre (“to fold back”) (in Late or Medieval Latin "to reply, repeat"), from re + plicō (“to fold”); the noun derives from the verb by nominalisation. Doublet of replicate and replica.