accountable
Americanadjective
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subject to the obligation to report, explain, or justify something; responsible; answerable.
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capable of being explained; explicable; explainable.
adjective
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responsible to someone or for some action; answerable
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able to be explained
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
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.
Vocabulary lists containing accountable
Night
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Declaration of the Rights of Woman (1791)
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"Principles of Business," Vocabulary from Chapter 5
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Judge Ross is the latest in a long line of examples of the most hypocritical double standard: Judges hold others accountable for misconduct but are never held accountable themselves.
From Slate • Jun. 8, 2026
Still, these officeholder perform critical work for the state, including investing taxpayer funds, holding government accountable, running elections and dealing home insurance issues in the wake of historic wildfires.
From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2026
"But if those who allowed it to happen are finally held accountable, then maybe something can still change."
From BBC • May 28, 2026
The media, lawyers and civil society can hold the government accountable.
From Salon • May 28, 2026
I'm accountable for all the cash of an evening.
From "How It Went Down" by Kekla Magoon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
