responsible
[ri-spon-suh-buh l]
- 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.
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Origin of responsible
Synonyms
See more synonyms for responsible on Thesaurus.com1. liable. 4. competent. 5. solvent. 6. honest, capable, reliable, trustworthy.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for responsible
Contemporary Examples
“Mona Iraqi is responsible for 25 families losing their lives,” he said, speaking figuratively.
The Guaraldi music is certainly at least 50 percent responsible for A Charlie Brown Christmas becoming as iconic as it has.
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 StarRobert Silverman
December 22, 2014
“They also were responsible for the Barcelona subway plot,” a plan disrupted by Spanish law enforcement in 2008.
Uzbeks were responsible for a recent attack on Karachi airport, he said, and “it looks like of the attack in Peshawar is same.”
Historical Examples
The question, he said, was one for a responsible Ministry alone to handle.
The Grand Old ManRichard B. Cook
If Maggie had made bad arrangements for her baby, Maggie was responsible.
Life and Death of Harriett FreanMay Sinclair
Not only am I responsible to him, but He is responsible for me.
The Conquest of FearBasil King
They are doled out to you, and you are responsible for them.
In the Midst of AlarmsRobert Barr
Yes, he had replaced it—because he was responsible for its custody.
ThoroughbredsW. A. Fraser
responsible
- (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
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Word Origin
C16: from Latin rēsponsus, from rēspondēre to respond
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for 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.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper