reply
She replied to my email within an hour.
She answered my email quickly.
to answer someone or something, especially in writing or speech
He replied to the question with a detailed explanation.
He answered the question thoroughly.
The company replied to customer complaints promptly.
The company responded to customer complaints quickly.
Can be used in formal or informal contexts, often in written or spoken communication.
to respond to a message, comment, or post on social media or online platforms
She replied to my tweet with a funny meme.
She responded to my tweet with a humorous image.
He replied to the post with a thoughtful comment.
He responded to the post with a well-considered remark.
Common in digital communication, especially on social media.
Collocations
Synonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Formal vs. Informal
Use 'reply' in formal contexts like emails or official communications. In casual conversations, 'respond' or 'answer' might be more natural.
Gold Rule
Verb Usage
'Reply' is often followed by 'to' when referring to a specific question or message.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'replyen', from Old French 'replier', from Latin 'replicare' meaning 'to fold back' or 'to answer'.
Usage Notes
Can be used as a verb or noun. As a noun, it refers to an answer or response.