verb
respond
rih-SPOND
verb
1
To say or write something as an answer.
"She responded to his email within the hour."
"He didn't respond when I asked him twice."
2
To act or react in reply to something, such as a stimulus or situation.
"The immune system responds to infection by producing antibodies."
"Firefighters responded quickly to the emergency call."
How to Use Respond
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo answer or react to something.
Common mistake
"Respond to" takes the preposition "to" — you respond to a question, not respond a question.
Common pairings
respond to
respond quickly
respond in kind
Word Forms
responded past tense, responds plural, responds singular
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She _____ to his email within the hour.
Etymology
From Old French respondre, from Latin respondere, "to answer, promise in return."