respond

IPA/ɹɪspˈɒnd/
KK[rɪspˈɑnd]IPA/rɪspˈɑːnd/

respond — verb

  • respondpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • respondshe / she / it
  • respondedpast simple
  • responding-ing form

1. to provide an answer or show a physical or emotional behavior in connection to a

1.verbintransitiveB1
Definition

to provide an answer or show a physical or emotional behavior in connection to a specific event or communication

Example

The spokesperson will respond to the reporter's difficult questions during the press conference tomorrow.

[{"start_offset": 22, "end_offset": 29, "type": "target_word"}]

Lotte chose to respond to the unexpected email by calling the client immediately for clarification.

[{"start_offset": 6, "end_offset": 13, "type": "target_word"}]

Common collocations
  • respond immediately
  • respond to an inquiry
  • respond to criticism
Synonyms
  • reply

    Focuses specifically on providing a verbal or written answer to a question.

  • react

    Broader term for any behavior or change resulting from a stimulus.

  • acknowledge

    Implies a formal or polite signal that a message has been received.

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

respond + to + noun

respond + to + -ing

Usage Note

When used to mean 'reply', it requires the preposition 'to' unless it is followed by a direct quote. It is more formal than 'answer'.

Common Mistakes

Using 'respond' with a direct object, e.g., 'respond the email' (must be 'respond to the email')

Confusing the noun 'response' with the verb 'respond'

2. to show positive progress or improvement following a particular course of action

2.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

to show positive progress or improvement following a particular course of action or treatment

Example

The patient began to respond to the medication after only three days of consistent treatment.

[{"start_offset": 21, "end_offset": 28, "type": "target_word"}]

Botanists were pleased to see the rare flowers respond to the increased sunlight and hydration.

[{"start_offset": 47, "end_offset": 54, "type": "target_word"}]

Common collocations
  • respond well to treatment
  • respond to medication
  • respond to therapy
Synonyms
  • improve

    A general term for getting better, not necessarily linked to a specific treatment.

  • react well

    Highlights the positive nature of the outcome in a clinical or physical setting.

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

respond + to + noun

Usage Note

Typically used in medical or scientific contexts to describe a positive reaction or improvement in a condition.

Common Mistakes

Using 'respond for' instead of 'respond to' in medical contexts

respond — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

When someone communicates back to us, 'reply' is the most direct way to describe providing an answer. 'Respond' is more formal and versatile, covering both verbal replies and physical actions, such as how a body might respond to a sudden cold draft. 'Acknowledge' is more specific than the others, implying that we have received a message but not necessarily providing a full answer to its content.

reply ↗react ↗acknowledge ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • in response to

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word comes from the Latin 'respondere,' which means to 'promise in return.' The prefix 're-' means 'again' or 'back,' and 'spondere' means to 'pledge' or 'promise.' Originally, it carried the idea of fulfilling an obligation by giving an answer, which later evolved into our current general use of replying or reacting.

First known use

1572