Word a Day
retort
What does retort mean?
retort (verb): to say something sharp or witty in answer to a remark or accusation.
Definition: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
How do you use retort in a sentence?
- He was tempted to retort, but thought better of it. (Tatoeba sentence #302472 by sundown, CC BY 2.0 FR)
How do you pronounce retort?
/ɹɪˈtɔɹt/ (IPA, American English). The app reads every word aloud.
Where does retort come from?
From Middle English retorte, from Latin retortus, from retorquēre (“to be forced to twist back”).
Etymology: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Test yourself: do you know “retort”?
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What does “retort” mean?
lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner
Not quite: that's what lurk means.
to say something sharp or witty in answer to a remark or accusation
Right! That's what “retort” means.
to notice or view, especially carefully or with attention to detail
Not quite: that's what observe means.
to work or act together, especially for a common purpose or benefit
Not quite: that's what cooperate means.
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