What does "response" mean?
An answer or reply, or something in the nature of an answer or reply.
Response
/ɹɪˈspɑns/ noun
noun ·Common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An answer or reply, or something in the nature of an answer or reply.
- Grammar: response is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: reaction, acknowledgment, action, action and reaction.
- Useful contrasts: blank stare, dead silence, digital prompts.
- Usage evidence: The most instinctive act of nearly every creature is to protect its young, and with humans, this response persists for a lifetime.
How to use "response"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "response" 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 "response" 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 "response" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "response" 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 "response" is acting as noun 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 "reaction" 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 "response", 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 An answer or reply, or something in the nature of an answer or reply.
- 2 a bodily process occurring due to the effect of some antecedent stimulus or agent wordnet
- 3 The act of responding or replying; reply: as, to speak in response to a question.
- 4 the manner in which an electrical or mechanical device responds to an input signal or a range of input signals wordnet
- 5 An oracular answer.
Show 10 more definitions
- 6 a phrase recited or sung by the congregation following a versicle by the priest or minister wordnet
- 7 A verse, sentence, phrase, or word said or sung by the choir or congregation in sequence or reply to the priest or officiant.
- 8 the manner in which something is greeted wordnet
- 9 A versicle or anthem said or sung during or after a lection; a respond or responsory.
- 10 a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation wordnet
- 11 A reply to an objection in formal disputation.
- 12 the speech act of continuing a conversational exchange wordnet
- 13 An online advertising performance metric representing one click-through from an online ad to its destination URL.
- 14 a result wordnet
- 15 A reaction to a stimulus or provocation.
"As we age, the major arteries of our bodies frequently become thickened with plaque, a fatty material with an oatmeal-like consistency that builds up along the inner lining of blood vessels. The reason plaque forms isn’t entirely known, but it seems to be related to high levels of cholesterol inducing an inflammatory response, which can also attract and trap more cellular debris over time."
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
blank staredead silencedigital promptstechnical inquiries
Example
"The most instinctive act of nearly every creature is to protect its young, and with humans, this response persists for a lifetime."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "response"?
Common synonyms include: reaction, acknowledgment, action, action and reaction, adaptation, adjustment.
How do you use "response" in a sentence?
The most instinctive act of nearly every creature is to protect its young, and with humans, this response persists for a lifetime.
How do you pronounce "response"?
Pronounced /ɹɪˈspɑns/.
Etymology
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.