accountable
7 synonyms and 1 antonym for accountable, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Required to explain or answer for one's actions; responsible.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use accountable
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
hold accountable
accountable to
accountable for
Etymology
From account plus -able, first attested around 1400.
Full origin of accountable →Frequently asked questions
What does “accountable” mean?
The word “accountable” means required to explain or answer for one's actions; responsible. In plain terms, expected to answer for your actions if something goes wrong.
How do you pronounce “accountable”?
“Accountable” is pronounced uh-KOWN-tuhbl (/əˈkaʊntəbl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “accountable” in a sentence?
Here is “accountable” used in a sentence: “Elected officials should be accountable to the voters who put them in office.”
What is another word for “accountable”?
Words with a similar meaning to “accountable” include amenable, responsible, liable and answerable.
What part of speech is “accountable”?
“Accountable” is an adjective.
Is “accountable” a common word?
“Accountable” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between "accountable" and "responsible"?
Being responsible means having a duty to carry out a task, while being accountable means being the one who must answer for the outcome. Several people can be responsible for parts of a project, but usually one person is ultimately accountable for the result.
What is the difference between "accountable" and "liable"?
"Liable" is often legal or financial, meaning obliged by law to answer for something or pay for it. "Accountable" is broader, meaning required to explain or answer for one's actions, without necessarily implying a legal penalty.
What preposition follows "accountable"?
"Accountable" is followed by "to" for the person or body you answer to, and "for" the action or result. For example, a manager is accountable to the board for the department's performance.
What are common collocations with "accountable"?
Common patterns include hold someone accountable, be held accountable, accountable for one's actions, and accountable to a manager or board. These reflect the sense of having to explain or answer for what one does.
