responsible

[ ri-spon-suh-buhl ]

adjective

1. answerable or accountable, as for something within one's power, control, or management (often followed by to or for ):

   He is responsible to the president for his decisions.

   Synonyms: liable

2. involving accountability or responsibility, as in having the power to control or manage:

   promoted to a responsible position in the firm.

3. chargeable with being the author, cause, or occasion of something (usually followed by for ):

   Termites were responsible for the damage.

4. having a capacity for moral decisions and therefore accountable; capable of rational thought or action:

   The defendant is not responsible for his actions.

   Synonyms: competent

5. able to discharge obligations or pay debts.

   Synonyms: solvent

6. reliable or dependable, as in meeting debts, conducting business dealings, etc.

   Synonyms: trustworthy, reliable, capable, honest

7. (of a government, member of a government, government agency, or the like) answerable to or serving at the discretion of an elected legislature or the electorate.

responsible

/ rɪˈspɒnsəbəl /

adjective

1. postpositiveusually foll byfor having control or authority (over)
2. postpositivefoll byto being accountable for one's actions and decisions (to)

   to be responsible to one's commanding officer

3. (of a position, duty, etc) involving decision and accountability
4. often foll by for being the agent or cause (of some action)

   to be responsible for a mistake

5. able to take rational decisions without supervision; accountable for one's own actions

   a responsible adult

6. able to meet financial obligations; of sound credit

Derived Forms

• reˈsponsibly, adverb
• reˈsponsibleness, noun

Other Words From

• re·sponsi·ble·ness noun
• re·sponsi·bly adverb
• inter·re·sponsi·ble adjective
• nonre·sponsi·ble adjective
• nonre·sponsi·ble·ness noun
• nonre·sponsi·bly adverb
• prere·sponsi·ble adjective
• quasi-re·sponsi·ble adjective
• quasi-re·sponsi·bly adverb
• super·re·sponsi·ble adjective
• super·re·sponsi·ble·ness noun
• super·re·sponsi·bly adverb
• unre·sponsi·ble adjective
• unre·sponsi·ble·ness noun
• unre·sponsi·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of responsible¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin respōns(us) ( response ( def ) ) + -ible ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of responsible¹

C16: from Latin rēsponsus , from rēspondēre to respond

Example Sentences

The American president is, after all, the commander in chief of the world’s most formidable fighting machine, and the figure ultimately responsible for the nation’s safety and security.

From Los Angeles Times

In fact, America’s rich are responsible for an enormous proportion of the global emissions causing climate change, even as per capita emissions are rising in many other countries.

From Salon

Ms Nyachuru told the BBC it was not until 2021 that she received a written apology from Welby about the death of her brother, in which he admitted that Smyth was responsible and the church had failed her family.

From BBC

Americans for Responsible Innovation, an advocacy group, wants Musk to become a strategic AI advisor to Trump, saying, “As artificial intelligence races ahead, the U.S. should lead the world in advancing AI safely and securely.”

From Los Angeles Times

So when Reynold Hoover talks about his new role as chief executive for LA28, the private group responsible for staging the Games and the ensuing Paralympics, he often refers to his stint as a brigadier general in the Afghanistan war.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• able
• capable
• competent
• conscientious
• effective
• efficient
• loyal
• rational
• reliable
• sensible