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

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

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

See Examples For:

accountable

“We need to hold the school district accountable for this incident.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 23, 2026

Although it's not the first lawsuit that seeks to hold a social media company accountable for mental health and safety issues, it could become one of the most consequential.

From Barron's ● Aug. 18, 2026

Forward guidance has high-minded objectives: making the Fed more transparent and accountable and giving markets the information they need to adapt to future policy shifts without undue surprises.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026

"Ghana was the crime scene where these atrocities took place, so Ghana cannot afford to be silent on ensuring that we hold perpetrators accountable," Ablakwa says.

From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026

“Take our prisoner to the cells and hand her over to Otrera’s guards. And, Kinzie, be sure you leave before anything unfortunate happens. I don’t want my loyal followers held accountable for a prison break.”

From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan

Related Words

• answerable
• culpable
• liable
• obliged