reply

/ri'plai/

Thân thiện

She smiled and gave a cheerful reply to the question.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • A spoken or written response: A reply is something said, written, or done as a reaction to a question, request, statement, or action.
   • The act of responding: The speech act of continuing a conversation by giving an answer or reaction.

2. Verb:

   • To say or write something in response: To react to a question, request, or statement with words, either spoken or written.
   • To react in a corresponding way: To act or behave in a way that serves as a response to an action or situation.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • I am waiting for a reply to my email.
  • His only reply was a shrug of his shoulders.
  • She gave a witty reply to the journalist's question.

• Verb:

  • Please reply to this invitation by Friday.
  • He didn't reply when I called his name.
  • The company will reply to the customer complaints tomorrow.

Advanced Usage

• "In reply (to)": As an answer or response to something.

  • She wrote a letter in reply to their offer.
  • He just nodded in reply.

• "Reply for someone": To give a response on behalf of another person.

  • As the best man, he had to reply for the bridesmaids during the speech.

Variants and Related Words

• Replier (n): A person who replies. (Less common)
• Reply-paid (adj): Describing a communication where the cost of a reply has been prepaid. (e.g., a reply-paid envelope)

Synonyms

• Answer: A more general term for a response to a question.
• Response: A reaction to something, which can be verbal, written, or physical.
• Retort: A quick, sharp, or witty reply.
• Rejoinder: A reply, especially a sharp or clever one.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Reply back: (Often considered redundant, as "reply" implies "back," but commonly used for emphasis in informal contexts) To send a return message.
  • I sent the information and asked him to reply back with his decision.

Related Idioms

• (Right) of reply: The opportunity or right to respond to criticism or accusations, especially in a public forum like media.
  • The newspaper published the article and granted the accused politician a right of reply.

Học thuật

Noun

1. the speech act of continuing a conversational exchange
   • he growled his reply
2. a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
   • I waited several days for his answer
   • he wrote replies to several of his critics

Verb

1. react verbally
   • She didn't want to answer
   • answer the question
   • We answered that we would accept the invitation

Từ đồng nghĩa

• response
• answer
• respond