responsible

adjective

re·​spon·​si·​ble ri-ˈspän(t)-sə-bəl 

1

a

: liable to be called on to answer

b(1)

: liable to be called to account as the primary cause, motive, or agent

a committee responsible for the job

(2)

: being the cause or explanation

mechanical defects were responsible for the accident

c

: liable to legal review or in case of fault to penalties

2

a

: able to answer for one's conduct and obligations : trustworthy

b

: able to choose for oneself between right and wrong

3

: marked by or involving responsibility or accountability

responsible financial policies

4

: politically answerable

especially : required to submit to the electorate if defeated by the legislature

—used especially of the British cabinet

responsibleness noun

responsibly

ri-ˈspän(t)-sə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• accountable
• amenable
• answerable
• liable

Choose the Right Synonym for responsible

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 responsible in a Sentence

"If you all die of typhoid I won't be responsible!" he snapped. "If you die of dullness, neither will I," Helen echoed in her heart. —Virginia Woolf, The Voyage Out, 1915

I have long since ceased to cherish any spirit of bitterness against the Southern white people on account of the enslavement of my race. No one section of our country was wholly responsible for its introduction, and, besides, it was recognized and protected for years by the General Government. —Booker T. Washington, Up from Slavery, 1900, 1901

He resumed our walk with me, passing his hand into my arm. "Then when AM I going back?" I wore, in turning it over, my most responsible air. —Henry James, The Turn of the Screw, 1898

She is a very responsible worker.

Is he responsible enough to have a car?

Recent Examples on the Web

And then there’s Cousins, who is responsible for most of those turnovers. —Josh Kendall, The Athletic, 9 Dec. 2024

Before founding Hungry Jack’s, Cowin was responsible for bringing Kentucky Fried Chicken to Australia in 1969. —Ernestine Siu, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2024

Sustainability Environmentally responsible design should always be a top priority, says Gibson. —Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Dec. 2024

At the end of Black Doves season 1, Helen learns that Trent Clark (Angus Cooper), son of London crime boss Alex Clark (Tracey Ullman), was responsible for the hit on Jason (who was secretly an M15 agent investigating Helen). —Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 8 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Anglo-French responsable, from respuns — see response

First Known Use

1643, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing responsible

• hold (someone) responsible

Kids Definition

responsible

adjective

re·​spon·​si·​ble ri-ˈspän(t)-sə-bəl 

1

a

: being the one who must answer or account for something

the committee responsible for the job

b

: being the cause or explanation

the germ responsible for the disease

2

a

: able to meet one's obligations : reliable

a responsible citizen

b

: able to choose for oneself between right and wrong

3

: requiring a person to take charge of or be trusted with important matters

a responsible job

responsibleness noun

responsibly

-blē 

adverb

Legal Definition

responsible

adjective

re·​spon·​si·​ble

1

a

: liable to be called on to answer

b

: liable to be called to account as the primary cause, motive, or agent

c

: liable to legal review or in case of fault to penalties

2

: characterized by trustworthiness, integrity, and requisite abilities and resources

awarded the contract to the lowest responsible bidder

3

: able to choose for oneself between right and wrong

4

: marked by or involving accountability

a responsible office

responsibility noun

responsibleness noun

responsibly adverb