26984 words

reply

9 definitions • 23 examples
1
to answer:

Examples:

[ + speech ] "Where are you going?" I asked. "Home," he replied.
[ + that ] I replied that it was twelve o'clock.
I try to reply to letters the day I receive them.
2
to react to an action by someone else:

Examples:

She replied to the threats by going to the police.
France took an early lead before Spain replied with three goals in 14 minutes.
3
an answer:

Examples:

I asked why, but he made/gave no reply.
There were very few replies to our advertisement.
In reply to their questions, she just shrugged.
4
to answer a question:

Examples:

[ I ] She asked him how old he was but he didn’t reply.
[ + that clause ] He replied that he wasn’t interested.
5
to give a spoken or written answer:

Examples:

'Your comments have been noted,' he replied.
reply to sb/sth He did not reply to a message left for him.
36 applicants replied to our advert.
reply that 55% of respondents replied that they are confident in their companies' leaders.
6
to react to something that someone has done:

Examples:

The voters replied by voting 80% in favour.
reply with sth After criticism for being slow to respond to changes in the market, the company replied with a major restructuring.
7

Examples:

get/have/receive a reply We had more than 100 replies.
a reply to sb/sth We received no reply to our query.
await a reply The letter, dated December 17, awaits a reply.
You will receive a written reply once your complaint has been looked into.
8
as an answer or reaction to something:

Examples:

He didn't really say anything in reply.
In reply to a question about piracy, he said that there was over 90% piracy of software.
9
used to begin a formal letter that is answering another letter:

Examples:

In reply to your letter of October 7th, I would like to offer you compensation of €100.

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