How to pronounce reply
Say it like rih-PLY. Reply has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PLY).
- rih
- PLY
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Reply pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- rihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- PLYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of reply
American and British speakers say reply in essentially the same way: /rɪˈplaɪ/ in the US and /rɪˈplaɪ/ in the UK.
British respelling: rih-PLY.
What does reply mean?
- To give a written or spoken response, especially to a question, request, accusation or criticism; to answer.
- To act or gesture in response.“Joanne replied to Pete's insult with a slap to his face.”
- To repeat something back; to echo.
- A written or spoken response; part of a conversation.
- Something given in reply.
- A counterattack.
Where does reply come from?
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 v
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with reply
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of reply.
Questions about saying reply
How do you pronounce reply?
Say rih-PLY. The American pronunciation is /rɪˈplaɪ/. In British English it is /rɪˈplaɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in reply?
Reply has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PLY). Broken into parts: rih · PLY.
Do Americans and Brits say reply the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /rɪˈplaɪ/ and the British form is /rɪˈplaɪ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.