"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

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.