accountable

American  

[uh-koun-tuh-buhl] / əˈkaʊn tə bəl /

adjective

1. subject to the obligation to report, explain, or justify something; responsible; answerable.

2. capable of being explained; explicable; explainable.

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accountable British  

/ əˈkaʊntəbəl /

adjective

1. responsible to someone or for some action; answerable

2. able to be explained

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Usage

What does accountable mean? Accountable means obligated to explain, justify, and take responsibility for one's actions, and to answer to someone, such as a person with more authority. The state of being accountable is accountability. The word accountable is often used in the context of individuals taking responsibility for their actions. It’s also commonly used in the context of institutions or people that are responsible to the public, such as the government, its agencies, politicians, and the media. Accountability is often discussed with transparency and consequences. This typically involves keeping people and organizations accountable by making their actions visible and having consequences when those actions are not acceptable. Accountable is often used with the verb hold, as in We need to hold him accountable for his actions. Example: The system of checks and balances is intended to keep the different branches of government accountable.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• accountably
  adverb
• accountableness
  noun
• accountability
  noun
• nonaccountable
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of accountable

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English; account + -able

Explanation

If you're responsible for your own actions, you are accountable for them. You are accountable for your behavior in school. So even if your friend throws pudding at you at lunch, you don't have the right to fling mystery meat back. Accountable comes from the word "account," which is itself from the Old French word acont, meaning to count (as in money). While you can be accountable for monetary damages, you're most likely to be held accountable for your actions and behavior, and the actions of your children and pets. If your dog bites another dog, you may be accountable for any vet bills incurred by the other dog's owner.

Example Sentences

So we need to make sure that we’re holding these people accountable and stay eternally vigilant with everything that’s happening.

From Salon • Jun. 12, 2026

"Any threat against the president is taken very seriously by the department, and our US Park Police will investigate this incident and hold those responsible accountable," the spokesperson said in a statement.

From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026

From this perspective, proposed cuts or new oversight mechanisms are defended as fiscally responsible or democratically accountable, even if critics see them as hostile to scientific autonomy.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026

Tara Shulman, a wealth adviser at Compound Planning, said a key part of her role is creating a diversification plan and holding clients accountable to it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

Incredibly, Parker was not held accountable for shirking his duties.

From "Lincoln's Last Days: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever" by Bill O'Reilly

Related Words

• answerable
• culpable
• liable
• obliged