# respond

/ɹiˈspɑnd/ (US) · /ɹɪspˈɒnd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/respond
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to answer

verb · CEFR A2

to say or write something as a reply to a question or message.

For teachers: to reply or answer in oral or written form. Intransitive, typically taking the preposition 'to'.

- She didn't respond to my text message until the next morning.
- The spokesperson declined to respond to the allegations until the legal team had reviewed the full report.

Usage: Requires 'to' before the person or thing being answered.

### 2. to react

verb · CEFR B1

to do something because of something else that has happened.

For teachers: to react to a stimulus, event, or situation with a specific action.

- The emergency services responded quickly to the call for help.
- The patient's body began to respond positively to the new medication after only three days of treatment.

Usage: Often used with adverbs of manner like 'quickly', 'well', or 'positively'.

### 3. to match or suit

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to match or fit well with something else.

For teachers: to correspond with or suit another element in a design or system.

- The new windows respond to the style of the old building.
- The interior layout must respond to the specific needs of the residents while maintaining the aesthetic integrity of the original design.

### 4. architectural support

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a half-pillar attached to a wall that supports one side of an arch.

For teachers: a half-pillar or pilaster engaged in a wall to support the weight of an arch or a timber.

- The stone respond was carved with the same pattern as the main pillars.
- The architect placed a respond at the end of the arcade to receive the thrust of the final arch against the masonry wall.

## Examples

- Please respond to my email by Friday.
- The emergency services were able to respond to the call within five minutes.
- While the building's facade was designed to respond to the local architectural heritage, its interior features cutting-edge sustainable technology.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.