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

It added that departments were responsible for addressing "any potential propriety matters".

From BBC

In addition to fueling Wednesday’s freakish bomb cyclone in the Pacific Northwest, atmospheric rivers were also responsible for a freakish Antarctic heat wave in April.

From Salon

Findlay, speaking to BBC Scotland News, acknowledged foreign nationals made up a small part of the prisoner population - and that the UK government was responsible for deportations.

From BBC

As Murray recalls, he was responsible for a pivotal plot change in “A Cinderella Story” involving Austin’s football team, the North Valley Frogs.

From Los Angeles Times

Detectives identified the suspects’ vehicle and subsequently arrested two people believed to be responsible for the scheme, police said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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