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 team thinks that these shed materials may also be responsible for the dimming and for the unexpected shape of the dust cocoon around the star.

From Science Daily

The court alleges he is responsible for war crimes, and has focused its claims on the unlawful deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia.

From BBC

Prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones KC told the court all three defendants were responsible for the 10-year-old's death, which happened amid a "culture of violence" which was "normalised" in the family household.

From BBC

Last Friday, 19 parents and guardians, responsible for 11 children, faced magistrates in Great Yarmouth to explain why their child was persistently absent from school between December 2023 and July this year.

From BBC

Mr. Prescott became both deputy prime minister and the cabinet minister responsible for the environment, transport and the regions in the new administration.

From New York Times

Related Words

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