adj · 7 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
UK:/ˈɑːnsəɹəb(ə)l/
UK:/ˈɑːnsɹəb(ə)l/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
US:/ˈæn.səɹ.ə.bl/
CMU ARPABET:AE1 N S ER0 AH0 B AH0 L
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Required to justify one's actions (to somebody); accountable, responsible.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
1731, Jonathan Swift, “The Sentiments of a Church-of-England Man, with respect to Religion and Government” in Miscellanies, London: Benjamin Motte and Charles Bathurst, Volume I, Section 2, p. 91, Should any Man argue, that [...] he cannot be justly punished, but is answerable only to God [...]
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adj
Meaning 2
Able to be answered.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
adj
Meaning 3
Correspondent, in accordance; comparable (to).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: archaic
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
adj
Meaning 4
Proportionate; commensurate in amount; suitable.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: archaic
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
adj
Meaning 5
Of an argument: capable of being answered or refuted; admitting a satisfactory answer.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: rare
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
adjective satellite
Meaning 6
morally or legally responsible to a higher authority
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
parents are answerable for their child's acts
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
adjective satellite
Meaning 7
capable of being answered
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
Etymology tree English answer Proto-Indo-European *-tḗr Proto-Indo-European *-dhlom Proto-Indo-European *-dhlis Proto-Italic *-ðlis Latin -bilis Latin -ābilis Old French -ablebor. Middle English -able English -able English answerable From answer + -able.
Across languages
Translations
17 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Bashkir:
яуаплы
(yawaplı)
— obliged to answer; liable to be called to account; liable to pay, indemnify, or make good
Belarusian:
адка́зны
(adkázny)
— obliged to answer; liable to be called to account; liable to pay, indemnify, or make good
Finnish:
tilivelvollinen
— obliged to answer; liable to be called to account; liable to pay, indemnify, or make good
Finnish:
vastuullinen
— obliged to answer; liable to be called to account; liable to pay, indemnify, or make good
German:
verantwortlich
— obliged to answer; liable to be called to account; liable to pay, indemnify, or make good
Hindi:
उत्तरदायी
(uttardāyī)
— obliged to answer; liable to be called to account; liable to pay, indemnify, or make good
Hungarian:
felelős
— obliged to answer; liable to be called to account; liable to pay, indemnify, or make good
Portuguese:
responsável
— obliged to answer; liable to be called to account; liable to pay, indemnify, or make good
Romanian:
responsabil
— obliged to answer; liable to be called to account; liable to pay, indemnify, or make good
Spanish:
responsable
— obliged to answer; liable to be called to account; liable to pay, indemnify, or make good
Ukrainian:
відповіда́льний
(vidpovidálʹnyj)
— obliged to answer; liable to be called to account; liable to pay, indemnify, or make good
Hungarian:
megválaszolható
— capable of being answered or refuted; admitting a satisfactory answer
Hungarian:
megoldható
— capable of being answered or refuted; admitting a satisfactory answer
Portuguese:
respondível
— capable of being answered or refuted; admitting a satisfactory answer
Romanian:
responsabil
— capable of being answered or refuted; admitting a satisfactory answer
Spanish:
responsable
— capable of being answered or refuted; admitting a satisfactory answer
