accountable

adjective

ac·​count·​able ə-ˈkau̇n-tə-bəl 

1

: subject to giving an account : answerable

held her accountable for the damage

2

: capable of being explained : explainable

… leaving aside variations accountable as printer's errors …

—Peter Shaw

accountableness

ə-ˈkau̇n-tə-bəl-nəs 

noun

accountably

ə-ˈkau̇n-tə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• amenable
• answerable
• liable
• responsible

Choose the Right Synonym for accountable

responsible, answerable, accountable, amenable, liable mean subject to being held to account.

responsible implies holding a specific office, duty, or trust.

the bureau responsible for revenue collection

answerable suggests a relation between one having a moral or legal obligation and a court or other authority charged with oversight of its observance.

an intelligence agency answerable to Congress

accountable suggests imminence of retribution for unfulfilled trust or violated obligation.

elected officials are accountable to the voters

amenable and liable stress the fact of subjection to review, censure, or control by a designated authority under certain conditions.

laws are amenable to judicial review

not liable for the debts of the former spouse

Examples of accountable in a Sentence

If anything goes wrong I will hold you personally accountable!

the owner was held accountable for his dog's biting of the child

Recent Examples on the Web

If American assistance is approved by Congress, Russia can be stopped and held accountable for its aggression and war crimes. —Mariia Hlyten, The Atlantic, 7 Apr. 2024

Reality Check is a Sacramento Bee series holding officials and organizations accountable and shining a light on their decisions. —Theresa Clift, Sacramento Bee, 5 Apr. 2024

The Bukele administration has also gone after those who collect evidence of governmental abuses and corruption, represent victims, and try to hold the President accountable. —Danielle MacKey, The New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2024

Democratic lawmakers didn't show up for the committee, leaving three empty seats and the opportunity for Republicans to criticize them as refusing to hold members of their own party accountable. —Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 4 Apr. 2024

How Parents Can Help Teachers A majority of teachers say parents are not holding their children accountable for their behavior in school, and are also falling short in assisting with schoolwork and ensuring regular attendance. —Kristina Behr, Parents, 4 Apr. 2024

In agitating for a board seat, Peltz argued that Disney’s directors weren’t adequately holding Iger accountable in key areas. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 3 Apr. 2024

Regardless of the jury’s decision, which is expected in April,the case in Fairfax County raises critical questions about the extent to which schools can be held legally accountable for what transpires both on campus and after school among students. —Karina Elwood, Washington Post, 30 Mar. 2024

Staffers inside the company are wondering amongst themselves who is going to be held accountable for the mess. —Oliver Darcy, CNN, 28 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English accountable, accomptable, borrowed from Anglo-French acomptable, from acunter "to account entry 2" + -able -able

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

accountable

adjective

ac·​count·​able ə-ˈkau̇nt-ə-bəl 

1

: responsible for giving an account (as of one's acts)

will be held accountable

2

: capable of being accounted for : explainable

accountability

-ˌkau̇nt-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē

noun

accountably

-ˈkau̇nt-ə-blē 

adverb

Legal Definition

accountable

adjective

ac·​count·​able ə-ˈkau̇n-tə-bəl 

1

: liable

accountable for the burglary

2

: obliged to accept responsibility

the bank accountable for payment of the check

accountability

ə-ˌkau̇n-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun