responsible
rih-SPON-suh-buhl
Responsible (adj) means having a duty to take care of something, or being accountable for its outcome. Example: “As team leader, I am responsible for making sure everyone gets home safely.”
adj
1
Having a duty to take care of something, or being accountable for its outcome.
"As team leader, I am responsible for making sure everyone gets home safely."
"The babysitter is responsible for the children's safety."
"Who is responsible for approving this budget?"
2
Being the main cause of something, especially something wrong, and therefore able to be blamed.
"Nobody admitted being responsible for the broken window, so the whole class stayed behind."
"A single careless driver was responsible for the long delays on the motorway."
"Investigators found that faulty wiring was responsible for the fire."
3
Reliable, sensible, and trustworthy in behavior.
"We need a responsible adult to look after the dog while we are away."
"She is very responsible with money and never spends more than she earns."
"He's a responsible teenager who always calls if he'll be late."
How to use responsible
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIn charge of something, to blame for something, or simply dependable and sensible.
Common pairings
responsible for
hold someone responsible
a responsible adult
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Word forms
- Plural
- responsibles
- Comparative
- more responsible
- Superlative
- most responsible
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
As team leader, I am _____ for making sure everyone gets home safely.
Etymology
From Middle French responsable, ultimately tied to Latin respondere, "to respond." The English spelling comes from an Old French variant, responsible.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for responsible
See all rhymes for responsible →Frequently asked questions
What does “responsible” mean?
The word “responsible” means having a duty to take care of something, or being accountable for its outcome. In plain terms, in charge of something, to blame for something, or simply dependable and sensible.
How do you pronounce “responsible”?
“Responsible” is pronounced rih-SPON-suh-buhl (/ɹɪˈspɑn.sə.bəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “responsible” in a sentence?
Here is “responsible” used in a sentence: “The babysitter is responsible for the children's safety.”
What is the opposite of “responsible”?
The opposite of “responsible” — its antonyms — is irresponsible.
What part of speech is “responsible”?
“Responsible” is an adjective.
Where does the word “responsible” come from?
The word “responsible” comes from Latin. From Middle French responsable, ultimately tied to Latin respondere, "to respond." The English spelling comes from an Old French variant, responsible.
Is “responsible” a common word?
“Responsible” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “responsible” have?
“Responsible” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having a duty to take care of something, or being accountable for its outcome.
What is the difference between responsible and accountable?
To be responsible is to have the duty to do the work or take care of something. To be accountable is to be the one who ultimately answers for the outcome, whether or not you did the task yourself. Several people can be responsible for parts of a project, but usually one person is accountable for its success.
What is the difference between 'responsible for' and 'responsible to'?
'Responsible for' points to the task or thing in your care — 'responsible for the budget.' 'Responsible to' points to the person or body you must answer to — 'responsible to the board.' One names your duty, the other names your authority. You can be responsible to a manager for a particular set of tasks.
What is the opposite of responsible?
The main opposite is 'irresponsible,' describing someone careless about their duties or the consequences of their actions. Depending on the sense, 'negligent' works when a duty is neglected, and 'unaccountable' fits when no one answers for an outcome. All contrast with the care, reliability, and ownership that being responsible implies.
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