Reply vs Explain: What's the Difference?

Quick Difference

Reply means (transitive, intransitive) To give a written or spoken response, especially to a question, request, accusation or criticism; to answer.. Explain means (transitive) To make plain, manifest, or intelligible; to clear of obscurity; to illustrate the meaning of..

Reply Meaning

(transitive, intransitive) To give a written or spoken response, especially to a question, request, accusation or criticism; to answer.

Explain Meaning

(transitive) To make plain, manifest, or intelligible; to clear of obscurity; to illustrate the meaning of.

Reply vs Explain Comparison Table

FeatureReplyExplain

Meaning(transitive, intransitive) To give a written or spoken response, especially to a question, request, accusation or criticism; to answer.(transitive) To make plain, manifest, or intelligible; to clear of obscurity; to illustrate the meaning of.

Part of speechverbverb

Example(intransitive) Please reply to my letter.She tried to explain but he wouldn’t listen.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between reply and explain?

Reply means (transitive, intransitive) To give a written or spoken response, especially to a question, request, accusation or criticism; to answer., while explain means (transitive) To make plain, manifest, or intelligible; to clear of obscurity; to illustrate the meaning of..