responsible
answerable or accountable, as for something within one's power, control, or management (often followed by to or for): He is responsible to the president for his decisions.
involving accountability or responsibility, as in having the power to control or manage: promoted to a responsible position in the firm.
chargeable with being the author, cause, or occasion of something (usually followed by for): Termites were responsible for the damage.
having a capacity for moral decisions and therefore accountable; capable of rational thought or action: The defendant is not responsible for his actions.
able to discharge obligations or pay debts.
reliable or dependable, as in meeting debts, conducting business dealings, etc.
(of a government, member of a government, government agency, or the like) answerable to or serving at the discretion of an elected legislature or the electorate.
Origin of responsible
1Other words for responsible
Other words from responsible
- re·spon·si·ble·ness, noun
- re·spon·si·bly, adverb
- in·ter·re·spon·si·ble, adjective
- non·re·spon·si·ble, adjective
- non·re·spon·si·ble·ness, noun
- non·re·spon·si·bly, adverb
- pre·re·spon·si·ble, adjective
- qua·si-re·spon·si·ble, adjective
- qua·si-re·spon·si·bly, adverb
- su·per·re·spon·si·ble, adjective
- su·per·re·spon·si·ble·ness, noun
- su·per·re·spon·si·bly, adverb
- un·re·spon·si·ble, adjective
- un·re·spon·si·ble·ness, noun
- un·re·spon·si·bly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for responsible
/ (rɪˈspɒnsəbəl) /
(postpositive usually foll by for) having control or authority (over)
(postpositive foll by to) being accountable for one's actions and decisions (to): to be responsible to one's commanding officer
(of a position, duty, etc) involving decision and accountability
(often foll by for) being the agent or cause (of some action): to be responsible for a mistake
able to take rational decisions without supervision; accountable for one's own actions: a responsible adult
able to meet financial obligations; of sound credit
Origin of responsible
1Derived forms of responsible
- responsibleness, noun
- responsibly, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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