responsible
Americanadjective
-
answerable or accountable, as for something within one's power, control, or management (often followed by to orfor ).
He is responsible to the president for his decisions.
- Synonyms:
- liable
-
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 byfor ).
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.
- Synonyms:
- competent
-
able to discharge obligations or pay debts.
- Synonyms:
- solvent
-
reliable or dependable, as in meeting debts, conducting business dealings, etc.
- Synonyms:
- trustworthy, reliable, capable, honest
-
(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.
adjective
-
having control or authority (over)
-
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 actions
a responsible adult
-
able to meet financial obligations; of sound credit
Other Word Forms
- interresponsible adjective
- nonresponsible adjective
- nonresponsibleness noun
- nonresponsibly adverb
- preresponsible adjective
- quasi-responsible adjective
- quasi-responsibly adverb
- responsibleness noun
- responsibly adverb
- superresponsible adjective
- superresponsibleness noun
- superresponsibly adverb
- unresponsible adjective
- unresponsibleness noun
- unresponsibly adverb
Etymology
Origin of responsible
First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin respōns(us) ( response ( def. ) ) + -ible ( def. )
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.
But the Stifel strategist said on Tuesday that he believes the “K-shaped” U.S. economy — one where wealthier consumers are responsible for most of the growth in spending — isn’t sustainable.
From MarketWatch
COGAT, the Israeli defence ministry body responsible for Palestinian civilian affairs, did not offer an immediate response.
From Barron's
To demonstrate the method, the team tested 65 different drug combinations against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium responsible for tuberculosis.
From Science Daily
The antenna responsible for transmitting the signal is made of zinc and embedded within a cellulose particle.
From Science Daily
Seoul's Unification Ministry -- responsible for managing relations with Pyongyang -- said three state agencies handling Kim's security had new bosses.
From Barron's
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.
