responsible

[ri-spon-suh-buhl]

adjective

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

   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 byfor ).

   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. having control or authority (over)

2. 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

Other Word Forms

• responsibleness noun
• responsibly adverb
• interresponsible adjective
• nonresponsible adjective
• nonresponsibleness noun
• nonresponsibly adverb
• preresponsible adjective
• quasi-responsible adjective
• quasi-responsibly adverb
• superresponsible adjective
• superresponsibleness noun
• superresponsibly adverb
• unresponsible adjective
• unresponsibleness noun
• unresponsibly 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

Industry data shows China was responsible for more than half of the world's steel production last year.

Read more on Barron's

My sons are allowed to use that income every month for whatever it is that they need, with the understanding that they’re responsible for maintaining the business.

Read more on MarketWatch

After all, this is a company with multiple irons on the fire — and one that is largely responsible for consumers’ embrace of online shopping.

Read more on MarketWatch

But with no clarity about who will be responsible for paying off this debt, councils are concerned they'll face bankruptcy if they are held accountable.

Read more on BBC

Goodwill operates as 150 autonomous organizations across North America, each responsible for designated geographic areas and run by their own CEOs and boards of directors.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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