responsible

[ ri-spon-suh-buhl ]

/ rɪˈspɒn sə bəl /

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adjective

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.

involving accountability or responsibility, as in having the power to control or manage: promoted to a responsible position in the firm.

chargeable with being the author, cause, or occasion of something (usually followed by for): Termites were responsible for the damage.

having a capacity for moral decisions and therefore accountable; capable of rational thought or action: The defendant is not responsible for his actions.

able to discharge obligations or pay debts.

reliable or dependable, as in meeting debts, conducting business dealings, etc.

(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.

Nearby words

response generalization, response time, response variable, responser, responsibility, responsible, responsion, responsive, responsiveness, responsor, responsory

Origin of responsible

1590–1600; < Latin respōns(us) (see response) + -ible

SYNONYMS FOR responsible

1 liable.

4 competent.

5 solvent.

6 honest, capable, reliable, trustworthy.

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Related forms

re·spon·si·ble·ness, nounre·spon·si·bly, adverbin·ter·re·spon·si·ble, adjectivenon·re·spon·si·ble, adjective

non·re·spon·si·ble·ness, nounnon·re·spon·si·bly, adverbpre·re·spon·si·ble, adjectivequa·si-re·spon·si·ble, adjectivequa·si-re·spon·si·bly, adverbsu·per·re·spon·si·ble, adjectivesu·per·re·spon·si·ble·ness, nounsu·per·re·spon·si·bly, adverbun·re·spon·si·ble, adjectiveun·re·spon·si·ble·ness, nounun·re·spon·si·bly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for responsible

“Mona Iraqi is responsible for 25 families losing their lives,” he said, speaking figuratively.
Sisi Is Persecuting, Prosecuting, and Publicly Shaming Egypt’s Gays|Bel Trew|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Guaraldi music is certainly at least 50 percent responsible for A Charlie Brown Christmas becoming as iconic as it has.
Yes, I Like Christmas Music. Stop Laughing.|Michael Tomasky|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Students deemed “responsible” for alleged sexual assaults on college campuses can face little or no consequence for their acts.
Jameis Winston Cleared of Rape Like Every Other College Sports Star|Robert Silverman|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“They also were responsible for the Barcelona subway plot,” a plan disrupted by Spanish law enforcement in 2008.
Pakistani School Killers Want to Strike the U.S.|Sami Yousafzai, Christopher Dickey|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Uzbeks were responsible for a recent attack on Karachi airport, he said, and “it looks like of the attack in Peshawar is same.”
Pakistani School Killers Want to Strike the U.S.|Sami Yousafzai, Christopher Dickey|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was her house, and she would have to be responsible for it against the devouring elements.
The House|Eugene Field
At the gang-plank were assembled the responsible heads of the expedition—who were anything but passive.
The Christmas Kalends of Provence|Thomas A. Janvier
To be sure, there came a time at the beginning of the term when the unwise parents were responsible for much bad work.
Miss Ashton's New Pupil|Mrs. S. S. Robbins
On that day he was responsible for the dinner,—the cooking, catering, buying and serving.
Days of the Discoverers|L. Lamprey
Certain phases of city life are responsible for much dissatisfaction with existence and depression of spirits.
Psychotherapy|James J. Walsh

British Dictionary definitions for responsible

responsible

/ (rɪˈspɒnsəbəl) /

adjective

(postpositive usually foll by for) having control or authority (over)

(postpositive foll by to) being accountable for one's actions and decisions (to)to be responsible to one's commanding officer

(of a position, duty, etc) involving decision and accountability

(often foll by for) being the agent or cause (of some action)to be responsible for a mistake

able to take rational decisions without supervision; accountable for one's own actionsa responsible adult

able to meet financial obligations; of sound credit

Derived Formsresponsibleness, nounresponsibly, adverb

Word Origin for responsible

C16: from Latin rēsponsus, from rēspondēre to respond

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for responsible

responsible

adj.

1590s, "answerable" (to another, for something), from obsolete French responsible (13c., Modern French responsable, as if from Latin *responsabilis), from Latin respons-, past participle stem of respondere "to respond" (see respond). Meaning "accountable for one's actions" is attested from 1640s; that of "reliable, trustworthy" is from 1690s. Retains the sense of "obligation" in the Latin root word. Related: Responsibly.

responsible

adjective

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Origin of responsible

Examples from the Web for responsible

British Dictionary definitions for responsible

responsible

adjective

Word Origin for responsible

Word Origin and History for responsible

responsible