response
- 01 A2 Elementary
a spoken or written answer to a question, letter, or email.
a verbal or written reply to a communication or query.
Simple“I sent her an email yesterday but I haven't received a response yet.”
In context“The department head provided a detailed response to the proposal, addressing each of the budgetary concerns raised during the meeting.”
UsageCommonly followed by the preposition 'to'.
PitfallI am waiting for a response of my email. I am waiting for a response to my email.Use the preposition 'to' after response when identifying what is being answered.
- 02 B1 Intermediate
a reaction to something that happens or a feeling caused by something.
a physiological, emotional, or behavioral reaction to a specific stimulus or event.
Simple“The crowd's response to the goal was a loud cheer.”
In context“The body's immune response can sometimes be triggered by harmless substances, leading to what we commonly call an allergy.”
UsageOften used with adjectives like 'positive', 'negative', 'immediate', or 'emotional'.
- 03 C2 Proficiency
a short sentence or phrase said by the people in a church service after the priest speaks.
a liturgical answer or phrase spoken or sung by a congregation in reply to a celebrant.
Simple“The congregation spoke the traditional response after the opening prayer.”
In context“The choir performed a complex polyphonic response that echoed through the cathedral during the evening service.”
Teacher's tipThis is a specialized sense used almost exclusively in the context of formal religious liturgy.
Synonymsrefrainresponsory
Usage response of up to words · response to a new · adaptive response
From Middle English respounse, respons, from Old French respons, respuns, responce, ultimately from the Latin respōnsum, a nominal use of the neuter form of respōnsus, the perfect passive participle of respondeō, from re (“again”) + spondeō (“promise”). Doublet of responsum.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.