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

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

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

Between 2000 and 2013, a total of 3,856 buildings collapsed -- nearly one a day -- according to the Office of the City Historian, which is responsible for maintaining listed buildings.

From Barron's • Jun. 17, 2026

But Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has called the ban a "mistake", arguing it would punish millions of users while doing little to stop those responsible for the leaks.

From BBC • Jun. 17, 2026

The squadron has been responsible for testing several bombers, including the B-1B, B-2A, and the B-52 Stratofortress.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 17, 2026

She noted the companies responsible for the huge boom in investment-grade bond sales haven’t become cheaper.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 17, 2026

And my mom prides herself on being timely and responsible.

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

Related Words

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