What does reecho mean?
Reecho means to echo a sound, voice, or idea again, especially when the original is returned from a distance or repeated by another person or medium. As an intransitive verb, it describes a sound returning through a space; as a transitive verb, it means to repeat what has just been heard or stated. The word has a literary, slightly formal quality and is less common than echo, but it gives precision to the idea of a second, often delayed, occurrence of the same utterance. For example, a canyon may reecho a shout, while a radio or public-address system may reecho a speaker’s words to an audience. Because reecho focuses on repetition rather than the original acoustic event, it can also describe the renewed circulation of a rumor or argument. The compound is also written re-echo and derives from the prefix re-, meaning “again,” combined with echo.
verbTo echo again; to repeat or return a sound, voice, or idea.
- To echo again, especially when a sound or voice returns or is repeated.
"The empty canyon reechoed her call with a long, fading repetition."
"The empty hall reechoed every footstep."
"His opponent reechoed the accusation without adding a word."
A voice in a canyon does more than echo: it reechoes, returning the same sound as a separate, delayed reply.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of reecho
Reecho is an English compound formed from re-, meaning “again,” and echo. Echo entered Middle English from Old French escho, which came from Latin echus and ultimately Greek ēkhō, an imitation or representation of a sound.
Related word forms
How reecho is actually used
Relatively uncommon and slightly literary in tone. It can be used transitively, as in “reecho a message,” or intransitively to describe a sound returning.
Easily confused with reecho
Echo denotes the return of a sound or the act of repetition; reecho means to echo again, making the renewed repetition explicit.