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"Reply" vs. "answer": what's the difference?

Reviewed and edited by Anwar Kareem 05/04/2025, 20:09
English.me team member
Reply and answer. What's the difference?

What is similar?

Both "reply" and "answer" involve responding to a question, statement, or communication, and are often interchangeable in casual usage.

What is different?

A "reply" typically refers to a direct response to an expressed communication (such as a message or statement), while "answer" more broadly refers to the act of addressing a question, often involving providing information or clarification.

Which one is more common?

Internet search results for reply) and answer

Examples of usage

Reply
  • She decided to reply to his email later.
  • He replied with a short message.
  • Please reply to the invitation by Friday.
Answer
  • She couldn't answer the question correctly.
  • The teacher asked him to answer loudly.
  • He gave an answer that surprised everyone.