Responding

How to spell responding

10 letters · 3 syllables

How to pronounce responding

Say the part in capitals loudest.

What does responding mean?

1. verbGiving an answer or reaction to something said, written, or done.

Responding in a sentence

• She is responding to every customer email within an hour.

• The patient is responding well to the new treatment.

Where does responding come from?

Language of origin: Latin

This word traces back to the Latin verb respondere, which literally meant 'to pledge in return' or 'to answer', formed from re- meaning 'back' and spondere meaning 'to promise or pledge'. In ancient Rome spondere was the solemn verb of making a binding vow, and the same root survives in 'spouse' (one promised in marriage) and in 'sponsor' (one who pledges support). English borrowed the verb through Old French respondre during the medieval period, with the meaning settling firmly on giving an answer or reaction. The present participle 'responding' simply adds the native -ing ending to that borrowed stem. The spelling stays reliable because the d of spond is clearly pronounced, so the main thing to remember is the single s and the o in the middle.

How the word is built

• re- (back)
• spond (from Latin spondere: to pledge or promise)
• -ing (present participle suffix)