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

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

After The Times wrote about beautifying L.A. with environmentally responsible landscaping, he contacted experts quoted in the article.

From Los Angeles Times

The goal here seems to be finding people who are uniquely unfit for these jobs, both to rile up liberals and to flush out any Republicans with remaining loyalties to the concept of responsible governance.

From Salon

The Senate will be responsible for confirming Gaetz’s nomination, and the Florida congressman has ruffled more then a few feathers in that chamber – including among Republicans.

From BBC

Health students saw high levels of dropouts after botched exam papers in 2022, which saw the exam board responsible fined £300,000.

From BBC

Related Words

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