reply
reply
(rɪplaɪ )Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense replies , present participle replying , past tense, past participle replied
1. verb
When you reply to something that someone has said or written to you, you say or write an answer to them.
'That's a nice dress,' said Michael. 'Thanks,' she replied solemnly. [VERB with quote]
He replied that this was absolutely impossible. [VERB that]
Grace was too terrified to reply. [VERB]
I've not replied to Lee's letter yet. [VERB to noun]
To their surprise, hundreds replied to the advertisement. [VERB + to]
2. countable noun [oft in NOUN]
A reply is something that you say or write when you answer someone or answer a letter or advertisement.
I called out a challenge, but there was no reply.
David has had 12 replies to his ad. [+ to]
They went ahead without waiting for a reply from the Germans.
He said in reply that the question was unfair.
[Also + from]3. verb
In sports, if you reply to a goal or a number of points scored by your opponents, you also score a goal or a number of points.
[journalism]Graeme Hick scored an unbeaten 58 as Worcestershire replied to Middlesex's 202 with 132-3. [VERB to noun]
Deryck Fox gave Featherstone the lead early in the first half with a penalty, but Saints were quick to reply. [VERB]
4. verb
If you reply to something such as an attack with violence or with another action, you do something in response.
Farmers threw eggs and empty bottles at police, who replied with tear gas. [VERB + with]
The National Salvation Front has already replied to this series of opposition moves with its own demonstrations. [V + to/with]
