Responded

rɪˈspɒndɪd

verbBeginnerVery CommonScience

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To say or do something as a reaction to something that has been said or done.

rɪˈspɒndɪd

verbneutralBeginner
Science

To say something in reply; answer

He responded with a simple 'Yes'.

💡 Simply: Imagine someone asks you a question or does something, and you say or do something back. That's responding! Like when you answer a text message.

👶 For kids: When someone says or does something, and you say or do something back!

More Examples

2

The audience responded enthusiastically to the performance.

3

The government responded to the crisis by announcing new measures.

How It's Used

General Communication

"She responded to my email within minutes."

Formal Correspondence

"The company responded with a detailed proposal."

2

To react in a particular way to a stimulus or situation, often with an emotion or action.

rɪˈspɒndɪd

verbpositivemedium
General

To react favorably or sympathetically

The public responded with outrage to the news.

💡 Simply: When something happens, and you show how you feel or what you do about it. Like, if you see a sad puppy, and you feel sad too, that’s responding to the puppy's feelings.

👶 For kids: When something happens and you show how you feel or what you do about it.

More Examples

2

The charity's appeal was responded to with overwhelming support.

3

She responded with kindness and compassion to the stranger's plea.

How It's Used

Emotional Reactions

"The community responded with generosity to the appeal."

Tip:Visualize someone calling for help; you respond with action.

Idioms & expressions

respond in kind

To react in the same way as someone else, especially if it is a negative action. To reciprocate the same behavior.

"After they insulted us, we decided to respond in kind and didn't invite them to the party."

respond to something

To react to a specific trigger or stimulus

"She did not respond to my emails"

From Middle English *responden*, from Old French *respondre*, from Latin *respondēre* ('to answer'), from *re-* ('back, again') + *spondēre* ('to promise, pledge').

The word 'respond' and its past tense form have consistently been used to denote a reply or a reaction across centuries, becoming increasingly common as communication became more frequent.

Memory tip

Think of a ping-pong game; you respond to the other person's shot.

respondeddrespondede

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written