Meaning & use
replay
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Meanings
verbtransitive
To play a recording, game, or event again, often to review or enjoy it.
Grammar: Takes an object: replay the video. Can also be used intransitively in some contexts, but usually with an object.
Patterns
- replay something
- replay the game
- replay the recording
After the meeting, she replayed the audio to catch the details she missed.
Fans can replay their favorite matches on the streaming service.
He replayed the video several times to analyze his technique.
nouncountable
A repeated showing of a recorded event, especially a sports play viewed again for review.
Grammar: Countable noun: a replay, the replay, replays.
Patterns
- watch a replay
- see a replay
- a replay of something
The referee watched the replay to decide if the goal was valid.
They showed a replay of the accident on the news.
I missed the game, so I watched the replay online.
Word forms
| third person singular | replays |
|---|---|
| past tense | replayed |
| past participle | replayed |
| present participle | replaying |
| plural | replays |
Common combinations
- replay a video
- She replayed the video to see the expression on his face.
- replay a game
- The coach replayed the game to study the team's mistakes.
- watch a replay
- We watched the replay of the concert last night.
- instant replay
- The instant replay showed that the ball was out of bounds.
- replay the tape
- He replayed the tape to hear the message again.
Synonyms and how they differ
- replay
- As a verb, 'replay' is the most common; 'play back' is similar but often used for audio or video recordings.
- repeat
- To 'repeat' means to do or say something again; 'replay' specifically means to play a recording or event again.
- rebroadcast
- To 'rebroadcast' means to broadcast again, typically on radio or TV; 'replay' is broader and can refer to any recording.
Word family
- replayable adjective
- Able to be replayed, often used for games or videos.
Commonly confused: replay or reply?
replay vs reply
Reply means to answer; replay means to play again. They sound similar but have different meanings.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'replay' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Replayed' means played again, so 'replayed the match' fits. Option A uses 'replayed' where 'replied' is needed. Option C is wrong because you don't 'replay' a book; you 'reread' it. Option D is wrong because 'for the first time' contradicts the idea of replaying.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “replay”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.