Repeat vs. Reply — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 30, 2024
Repeat involves saying or doing something again, often for emphasis or clarity, while reply means to respond or answer to a statement or question.
Difference Between Repeat and Reply
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Repeat typically refers to the action of doing or saying something again. This can be for various purposes such as emphasizing a point, ensuring understanding, or recreating an event. Whereas, reply is used specifically in the context of responding or answering to someone or something that has been communicated.
When someone repeats something, it might not necessarily be in response to a query or interaction but can be part of a routine or practice. On the other hand, a reply is always triggered by another communication, meaning it is a direct or indirect response to another’s words or actions.
Repetition can occur in various forms, such as repeating a task, a word, a process, or a behavior. While replying usually takes the form of verbal or written communication, tailored to address or answer a specific inquiry or comment.
In educational or learning settings, repeat is often used to reinforce knowledge or skills through multiple engagements with the same material. Whereas, reply in such contexts would typically be used to answer questions or provide feedback in a dialogue.
In technology and communication, repeat might involve the resending of a message or broadcast to ensure delivery or reception, while reply pertains to answering emails, messages, or returning calls as a form of engagement with the initial sender.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Doing or saying something again
Responding to a communication
Context
Can be independent
Triggered by another’s communication
Communication
Not required
Required
Forms
Tasks, words, processes
Verbal, written
Purpose
Emphasis, practice, reinforcement
Answer, feedback, interaction
Compare with Definitions
Repeat
To occur again in a similar way.
History tends to repeat itself during crises.
Reply
To react to something with a specific action or behavior.
He replied to the joke with a hearty laugh.
Repeat
To say something again or a number of times.
The teacher asked him to repeat the question.
Reply
To act in response to an action.
The team replied to the challenge with great enthusiasm.
Repeat
To do or perform something again.
She had to repeat the experiment to confirm the results.
Reply
To respond to someone after they have spoken or written to you.
He quickly replied to the email.
Repeat
A broadcast shown again on television or radio.
They aired a repeat of the popular show last night.
Reply
A response given to a question or statement.
Her reply to the accusation was firm and clear.
Repeat
In music, to play or sing the same note or sequence of notes again.
The chorus part of the song repeats after every verse.
Reply
To answer a call or communication.
She replied to the text message as soon as she saw it.
Repeat
Say again something one has already said
‘Are you hurt?’ he repeated
Ann repeated that she was very comfortable
Billy repeated his question
Reply
Say something in response to something someone has said
She replied that she had been sound asleep
He was gone before we could reply to his last remark
‘I'm OK—just leave me alone,’ he replied
Repeat
Do (something) again or more than once
Earlier experiments were repeated on a larger scale
Reply
A verbal or written answer
I received a reply from the managing director
‘No,’ was the curt reply
Repeat
(of food) be tasted intermittently for some time after being swallowed as a result of belching or indigestion
That cucumber repeated on me for hours
Reply
To speak or write as a reaction to a question or other prompting.
Repeat
Something that occurs or is done again
The final will be a repeat of last year
Reply
To act in reaction or as a response
The enemy's bigs guns replied to the salvo.
Repeat
To say again
Could you repeat the question?.
Reply
(Law) To respond to the defendant's answer or plea.
Repeat
To utter in duplication of another's utterance
Repeated the customer's complaint in disbelief.
Reply
To say or give as an answer
I replied that I was unable to help them.
Repeat
To recite from memory
Repeated the poem verbatim.
Reply
A word or a series of words spoken or written in reaction, as to a question or request.
Repeat
To tell to another
Repeated what he had heard that morning.
Reply
An act made in reaction or response.
Repeat
To do, experience, or produce again
Repeat past successes.
Repeat a course.
Repeat a pattern.
Reply
(Law) A plaintiff's response to the defendant's answer or plea, especially with regard to counterclaims made by the defendant.
Repeat
To express (oneself) in the same way or words
Repeats himself constantly.
Reply
To give a written or spoken response, especially to a question, request, accusation or criticism; to answer.
Repeat
To say something again.
Reply
(intransitive) To act or gesture in response.
Joanne replied to Pete's insult with a slap to his face.
Repeat
To do or experience something again, especially to win a championship for a second time in a row.
Reply
(intransitive) To repeat something back; to echo.
Repeat
To occur or happen again
The melody repeats in the refrain.
Reply
A written or spoken response; part of a conversation.
Repeat
To commit the fraudulent offense of voting more than once in a single election.
Reply
Something given in reply.
Repeat
An act of repeating.
Reply
A counterattack.
Repeat
Something repeated, as an interval in athletic training.
Reply
(music) The answer of a figure.
Repeat
A broadcast of a television or radio program that has been previously broadcast; a rerun.
Reply
A document written by a party specifically replying to a responsive declaration and in some cases an answer.
Repeat
A passage or section that is repeated.
Reply
To make a return in words or writing; to respond; to answer.
O man, who art thou that repliest against God?
Repeat
A sign usually consisting of two vertical dots, indicating a passage to be repeated.
Reply
To answer a defendant's plea.
Repeat
Of, relating to, or being something that repeats or is repeated
A repeat offender.
A repeat performance of the play.
Reply
Figuratively, to do something in return for something done; as, to reply to a signal; to reply to the fire of a battery.
Repeat
(transitive) To do or say again (and again).
The scientists repeated the experiment in order to confirm the result.
Reply
To return for an answer.
Lords, vouchsafeTo give me hearing what I shall reply.
Repeat
To refill (a prescription).
Reply
That which is said, written, or done in answer to what is said, written, or done by another; an answer; a response.
Repeat
(intransitive) To happen again; recur.
Reply
A statement (either spoken or written) that is made in 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
Repeat
(transitive) To echo the words of (a person).
Reply
The speech act of continuing a conversational exchange;
He growled his reply
Repeat
(intransitive) To strike the hours, as a watch does.
Reply
Reply or respond to;
She didn't want to answer
Answer the question
We answered that we would accept the invitation
Repeat
(obsolete) To make trial of again; to undergo or encounter again.
Repeat
To repay or refund (an excess received).
Repeat
To call in a previous artillery fire mission with the same ammunition and method either on the coordinates or adjusted either because destruction of the target was insufficient or missed.
Add 100, left 50. Repeat, over.
Use "say again" instead of repeat on the radio. Repeat will bring in artillery fire.
Repeat
To commit fraud in an election by voting more than once for the same candidate.
Repeat
An iteration; a repetition.
We gave up after the third repeat because it got boring.
Repeat
A television program shown after its initial presentation; a rerun.
Repeat
A refill of a prescription.
Repeat
A pattern of nucleic acids that occur in multiple copies throughout a genome (or of amino acids in a protein).
Repeat
(music) A mark in music notation directing a part to be repeated.
Repeat
To go over again; to attempt, do, make, or utter again; to iterate; to recite; as, to repeat an effort, an order, or a poem.
Not well conceived of God; who, though his powerCreation could repeat, yet would be lothUs to abolish.
Repeat
To make trial of again; to undergo or encounter again.
Repeat
To repay or refund (an excess received).
Repeat
The act of repeating; repetition.
Repeat
That which is repeated; as, the repeat of a pattern; that is, the repetition of the engraved figure on a roller by which an impression is produced (as in calico printing, etc.).
Repeat
A mark, or series of dots, placed before and after, or often only at the end of, a passage to be repeated in performance.
Repeat
An event that repeats;
The events today were a repeat of yesterday's
Repeat
To say, state, or perform again;
She kept reiterating her request
Repeat
Make or do or perform again;
He could never replicate his brilliant performance of the magic trick
Repeat
Happen or occur again;
This is a recurring story
Repeat
To say again or imitate;
Followers echoing the cries of their leaders
Repeat
Do over;
They would like to take it over again
Repeat
Repeat an earlier theme of a composition
Common Curiosities
What are some examples of "reply" in action?
Replying to emails, messages, answering calls, or responding to questions.
What is the primary use of the term "repeat"?
It refers to doing or saying something again, often for emphasis or to ensure understanding.
How do "repeat" and "reply" function in a technical setting?
Repeat may involve re-execution of a process, while reply involves engaging with a received communication.
How does "reply" typically differ in context from "repeat"?
Reply is specifically a response to a communication, whereas repeat does not require prior interaction.
Is "repeat" always verbal?
No, it can also be a physical action or written, depending on the context.
Can "repeat" involve emotions?
Yes, repeating actions or words can sometimes be driven by emotional states or intentions.
What are some common scenarios where "repeat" is used?
In educational settings for reinforcement, in broadcasts, or when clarity is needed.
What type of communication is a "reply" most associated with?
Primarily verbal or written responses to previous communications.
Can "repeat" and "reply" be used interchangeably in communication?
No, they serve different functions; repeat is about redoing or resaying, while reply is about responding.
Are there any specific forms of reply in professional settings?
Yes, replies can take the form of formal responses, feedback, or answers to inquiries.
Does "repeat" have any specific uses in legal or formal settings?
Yes, in legal settings, repeating a testimony or a document can be necessary for verification purposes.
What is a critical aspect of using "repeat" in communication?
It helps in reinforcing a message or ensuring that information is accurately conveyed and understood.
What role does "reply" play in interpersonal communication?
It is crucial for maintaining dialogue and ensuring ongoing interaction.
How is "reply" viewed in terms of social etiquette?
It is often seen as a necessary or polite response to someone else’s communication.
How does the context change the use of "reply"?
The nature of the initial communication largely dictates the form and content of the reply.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
