accountability
uh-kown-tuh-BIHL-uh-tee
Accountability (noun) means being responsible for one's actions and expected to explain or answer for them. Example: “Without clear accountability, nobody felt they had to fix the mistake.”
noun
1
Being responsible for one's actions and expected to explain or answer for them.
"Without clear accountability, nobody felt they had to fix the mistake."
"The scandal led to calls for greater accountability among senior officials."
"Good managers build a culture of accountability in their teams."
How to use accountability
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBeing answerable for what you do, and accepting the consequences of it.
Common pairings
hold someone accountable
lack of accountability
public accountability
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Word forms
- Plural
- accountabilities
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Without clear _____, nobody felt they had to fix the mistake.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for accountability
See all rhymes for accountability →Frequently asked questions
What does “accountability” mean?
The word “accountability” means being responsible for one's actions and expected to explain or answer for them. In plain terms, being answerable for what you do, and accepting the consequences of it.
How do you pronounce “accountability”?
“Accountability” is pronounced uh-kown-tuh-BIHL-uh-tee (/əˌkaʊn.təˈbɪl.ə.ti/ in IPA).
How do you use “accountability” in a sentence?
Here is “accountability” used in a sentence: “The scandal led to calls for greater accountability among senior officials.”
What is another word for “accountability”?
Words with a similar meaning to “accountability” include accountableness.
What part of speech is “accountability”?
“Accountability” is a noun.
Is “accountability” a common word?
“Accountability” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
What is the difference between accountability and responsibility?
Responsibility is having a duty to do something, while accountability is being answerable for the outcome and expected to explain or justify it afterward. You can share responsibility for a task, but accountability points to who must answer for the result.
What is the difference between accountability and liability?
Accountability is being responsible for your actions and expected to explain them, while liability is usually a legal or financial obligation to make amends. Liability is a narrower, often law-based form of being answerable.
Is accountability a countable or uncountable noun?
Accountability is normally used as an uncountable noun, so it usually appears without "a" or a plural form. You would speak of "greater accountability" rather than "accountabilities."
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