What does retort mean?
Word: Retort
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Retort means to reply quickly and sharply, often with a clever or slightly cross remark.
Synonyms: snap back, answer back
Word origin: From Latin retorquere.
How do you spell retort?
Syllables: re - tort
Tricky part: The second part is the plain or of sort. Students who hear a long sound try aw or au.
Watch out for: retawt, retaurt, retourt
Memory tip: A retort is a reply of a sharp sort, and the two words close with the same three letters.
Retort in a sentence
Example 1: 'Then you should have set an alarm,' Anu retorted with a grin.
Example 2: Asked if she was tired, the runner retorted that she could do another lap.
Example 3: When the coach asked who had forgotten the cones, Sam retorted that it was the coach's turn.
Fun Fact
Chemists have a retort of their own: a round glass vessel with a long neck pointing downwards, once common in laboratories.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell Spies
Choose the pair which has a spelling error:
a) ponder : think
b) mimic : copy
c) rettort : reply
d) amble : stroll
Show answer
c) rettort : reply. The word needs one t in the middle, so that is the faulty pair.
Sound Check
Which word does not rhyme with retort?
a) cavort
b) sport
c) resort
d) effort
Show answer
d) effort. Effort has a weak ending, said like the a in about, so it falls outside the rhyme.
Back to the Roots
Choose the correct option:
Retort comes from the Latin verb retorquere. What does retorquere mean?
a) to twist back
b) to speak loudly
c) to write again
d) to run away
Show answer
a) to twist back. A sharp reply turns someone's words back on them.
Word Champ
Choose the correct word for the blank:
When Dad teased her about the burnt toast, Meenu ____ that he was welcome to make breakfast himself.
a) retorted
b) rotated
c) retreated
d) restored
Show answer
a) retorted. A quick, sharp answer to teasing is what the sentence needs.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which line sounds like a retort?
a) 'And you were late yesterday, remember?'
b) 'Thank you for helping me today.'
c) 'Please may I borrow your ruler?'
d) 'I hope you have a lovely time.'
Show answer
a) 'And you were late yesterday, remember?'
2. Which situation is most likely to draw a retort?
a) a long queue at the canteen
b) a sunny walk to the bus stop
c) a quiet hour in the library
d) a cheeky remark from a classmate
Show answer
d) a cheeky remark from a classmate
