noun
answer
AHN-suh
noun
1
A reply given to a question, or a solution to a problem.
"She gave a quick answer to the teacher's question."
"They still hadn't found an answer to the budget shortfall."
verb
1
To give a reply, especially to a question, letter, or call.
"He answered the phone on the second ring."
"She answered every question calmly during the interview."
2
To be accountable or responsible for something, often to someone in authority.
"He'll have to answer to the board for the missed deadline."
How to Use Answer
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA reply to a question, or, as a verb, to reply or be responsible for something.
Common pairings
answer a question
answer the phone
answer to someone
Word Forms
answered past tense, answers plural, answers singular
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She gave a quick _____ to the teacher's question.
Etymology
From Old English andswaru, built from and- ("against") plus swaru ("statement, affirmation") — originally meaning something like a sworn reply rebutting a charge.