1. (

• answer ,
• reply ,
• response ,

) 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" ;

2. (

• reply ,
• response

) the speech act of continuing a conversational exchange; "he growled his reply" ;

1. (

• answer ,
• reply ,
• respond

) react verbally; "She didn't want to answer"; "answer the question"; "We answered that we would accept the invitation" ;