responsible

American  

[ri-spon-suh-buhl] / rɪˈspɒn sə bəl /

adjective

1. 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

2. involving accountability or responsibility, as in having the power to control or manage.

   promoted to a responsible position in the firm.

3. chargeable with being the author, cause, or occasion of something (usually followed byfor ).

   Termites were responsible for the damage.

4. 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

5. able to discharge obligations or pay debts.

   Synonyms:

   solvent

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

   Synonyms:

   trustworthy, reliable, capable, honest

7. (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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responsible British  

/ rɪˈspɒnsəbəl /

adjective

1. having control or authority (over)

2. being accountable for one's actions and decisions (to)

   to be responsible to one's commanding officer

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

4. (often foll by for) being the agent or cause (of some action)

   to be responsible for a mistake

5. able to take rational decisions without supervision; accountable for one's own actions

   a responsible adult

6. able to meet financial obligations; of sound credit

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• interresponsible
  adjective
• responsibleness
  noun
• nonresponsibly
  adverb
• nonresponsibleness
  noun
• preresponsible
  adjective
• responsibly
  adverb
• unresponsibleness
  noun
• unresponsibly
  adverb
• superresponsibleness
  noun
• superresponsibly
  adverb
• unresponsible
  adjective
• nonresponsible
  adjective
• quasi-responsible
  adjective
• quasi-responsibly
  adverb
• superresponsible
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of responsible

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin respōns(us) ( see response ( def. )) + -ible ( def. )

Explanation

If you're the responsible one, everyone is depending on you to take care of it. And, if things go poorly, it's all your fault. Sounds like a drag to be responsible but really it is what we all want out of life. After all, when you're responsible, you get the keys to the car, you make your own decisions, and you get all the credit. Parents love the responsible babysitter who doesn't text with her friends and feed the kids bowls of ice cream. Of course, the boy who is responsible for bringing firecrackers to the football game will not be looked upon with the same level of respect. Responsibility can bring all the glory, but all the blame too.

Example Sentences

Addressing the issue of fast food outlets, Tice said they should be at risk of losing "their licence to operate" if they are "continually responsible for litter around their premises and beyond".

From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026

The authorized user can make purchases with the card but is not responsible for paying the bill.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026

The devices are often mounted on municipal light poles, which makes the Bureau of Street Lighting responsible for their installation.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

“He is responsible for bringing reconciliation to the Democrats and Republicans in the Michigan legislature and in the US Congress,” Timmis wrote.

From Salon • Jun. 9, 2026

I mean, you need someone responsible to make sure we still have tigers.

From "Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer" by Kelly Jones

Related Words

• able
• capable
• competent
• conscientious
• effective
• efficient
• loyal
• rational
• reliable
• sensible