What does "echo" mean?
A reflected sound that is heard again by its initial observer.
Echo
/ˈɛkəʊ/ name, noun, verb, slang
name, noun, verb, slang ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A reflected sound that is heard again by its initial observer.
- Grammar: echo is listed as name, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: reverberation, accord, acknowledge, acknowledgment.
- Useful contrasts: absorb, dampen, ignore.
- Usage evidence: If you shout from the top of a cliff, you can hear the echo of your voice.
How to use "echo"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "echo" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "echo" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "echo" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "echo" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "echo" is acting as name, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "reverberation" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "echo", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A reflected sound that is heard again by its initial observer. countable, uncountable
"The babbling echo mocks the hounds."
- 2 an imitation or repetition wordnet
- 3 An utterance repeating what has just been said. countable, uncountable
- 4 a close parallel of a feeling, idea, style, etc. wordnet
- 5 A device in verse in which a line ends with a word which recalls the sound of the last word of the preceding line. countable, uncountable
Show 15 more definitions
- 6 the repetition of a sound resulting from reflection of the sound waves wordnet
- 7 Sympathetic recognition; response; answer. countable, figuratively, uncountable
"Fame is the echo of actions, resounding them."
- 8 a reflected television or radio or radar beam wordnet
- 9 Something that reflects or hearkens back to an earlier thing. countable, figuratively, uncountable
"The frustration with the political process that in the '60s led to the formation of resistance groups finds an echo in today's increasingly confrontational tactics."
- 10 a reply that repeats what has just been said wordnet
- 11 An insignificant indirect result; a ripple. countable, figuratively, uncountable
- 12 (Greek mythology) a nymph who was spurned by Narcissus and pined away until only her voice remained wordnet
- 13 The displaying on the command line of the command that has just been executed. countable, uncountable
- 14 An individual discussion forum using the echomail system. countable, uncountable
"When someone asks an off-topic question […] they are usually quickly told to knock it off. You can't ask a question about modems in an echo devoted to local-area networks."
- 15 Alternative letter-case form of Echo from the NATO/ICAO Phonetic Alphabet. alt-of, countable, uncountable
- 16 A signal, played in the same manner as a trump signal, made by a player who holds four or more trumps (or, as played by some, exactly three trumps) and whose partner has led trumps or signalled for trumps. countable, uncountable
- 17 A signal showing the number held of a plain suit when a high card in that suit is led by one's partner. countable, uncountable
- 18 An antisemitic punctuation symbol or marking, ((( ))), placed around a name or phrase to indicate the person is Jewish or the entity is controlled by Jewish people; or repurposed or reclaimed to proudly declare one's Jewishness or solidarity with Jews. countable, uncountable
- 19 Clipping of echocardiography. abbreviation, alt-of, clipping, colloquial, uncountable
- 20 Clipping of echocardiogram. abbreviation, alt-of, clipping, colloquial, countable
Verb
- 1 Of a sound or sound waves: to reflect off a surface and return; to reverberate or resound. intransitive
"With each clap of thunder echoing from one high building to another the noise was terrific."
- 2 to say again or imitate wordnet
- 3 Of a rumour, opinion, etc.: to spread or reverberate. figuratively, intransitive
"The sense that it takes outrageous fortune to get inoculated echoes here in the Bay Area, where pharmacies have canceled flu-shot clinics, doctors turn away pleading patients and health officials are reduced to telling panicked callers that they should practice good personal hygiene."
- 4 ring or echo with sound wordnet
- 5 To reflect back (a sound). transitive
"Those peals are echoed by the Trojan throng."
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 bring to mind wordnet
- 7 To repeat (another’s speech, opinion, etc.). figuratively, transitive
"Sid echoed his father’s point of view."
- 8 To repeat its input as input to some other device or system. transitive
"The device that is to echo the characters should be optioned for echoplexing."
- 9 To give the echo signal, informing one's partner about cards one holds. intransitive
Proper Noun
- 1 An oread, punished by Hera by losing her own voice and only being able to mimic that of others. Greek
- 2 A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Dale County, Alabama.
- 3 A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Metcalfe County, Kentucky.
- 4 A number of places in the United States:; A census-designated place in Rapides Parish, Louisiana.
- 5 A number of places in the United States:; A township in Antrim County, Michigan.
Show 7 more definitions
- 6 A number of places in the United States:; A township and minor city therein, in Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota.
- 7 A number of places in the United States:; A minor city in Umatilla County, Oregon.
- 8 A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania.
- 9 A number of places in the United States:; A populated place in Orange County, Texas.
- 10 A number of places in the United States:; A census-designated place in Summit County, Utah, named after Echo Canyon.
"Experts say the smallest towns are especially vulnerable. And few places in Utah are as tiny or dry as Echo, a jumble of homes squeezed between a freight railroad and stunning red-rock cliffs. Echo was already struggling to hang on after the two cafes closed down. Then its spring-fed water supply hit critical lows this summer."
- 11 A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Wayne County, West Virginia.
- 12 60 Echo, a main belt asteroid.
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"If you shout from the top of a cliff, you can hear the echo of your voice."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "echo"?
Common synonyms include: reverberation, accord, acknowledge, acknowledgment, act like, action and reaction.
How do you use "echo" in a sentence?
If you shout from the top of a cliff, you can hear the echo of your voice.
How do you pronounce "echo"?
Pronounced /ˈɛkəʊ/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English eccho, ecco, ekko, from Medieval Latin ēccō, from Latin ēchō, from Ancient Greek ἠχώ (ēkhṓ), from ἠχή (ēkhḗ, “sound”). Possibly from the same Proto-Indo-European root as sough.
Etymology 2
From Ancient Greek Ἠχώ (Ēkhṓ, “sound”).