answer
nounverbtop 1 000 in film dialogue
- United Kingdom//ˈɑːn.sə//
- United Kingdom//ˈa̝n.sə//
- Canada//ˈæn.sɚ//
- /[ˈeən.sɚ]/
A response or reply; something said or done in reaction to a statement or question.
noun
- 1
A response or reply; something said or done in reaction to a statement or question.
Her answer to his proposal was a slap in the face.
When a student types a complex question into a chatbot, they get a polished (though not necessarily authentic, accurate or nuanced) answer in seconds.
- 2
A solution to a problem.
There is no simple answer to corruption.
Violence is not the answer to disagreements.
- 3
Someone or something that fills a similar role or position.
Anti-pornography crusader Mary Whitehouse, who successfully brought London's Gay News to trial recently on charges of "blasphemy," is emerging as England's answer to Anita Bryant.
- 4
A document filed in response to a complaint, responding to each point raised in the complaint and raising counterpoints.
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂ent- Proto-Indo-European *-s Proto-Indo-European *h₂éntsder. Proto-Germanic *anda- Proto-Indo-European *swer-der. Proto-Germanic *swarō Proto-Germanic *andaswarō Proto-West Germanic *andaswaru Old English andswaru Middle English answere English answer From Middle English answere, andsware, from Old English andswaru (“answer”), from and- (“against”) + swaru (“affirmation”), (from Proto-Indo-European *h₂ent- (“front, forehead”) and Old English swerian (“to swear”), from Proto-Indo-European *swer-), suggesting an original meaning of "a sworn statement rebutting a charge". The cognates suggest the existence of Proto-Germanic *andaswarō (“a reply to a question”). Cognate with Old Frisian ondser (“answer”), Old Saxon andswōr (“answer”), Danish and Swedish ansvar (“liability, responsibility, answer”), Icelandic andsvar (“answer, response”). Compare also Old English andwyrde (“answer”) (cognate to Dutch antwoord, German Antwort), Old English andcwiss (“reply”), German Schwur (“oath, vow”).
verb
- 1
To make a reply or response to.
She answers him as if she knew his mind:
[…] there was no voice, nor any that answered.
“Well,” I answered, at first with uncertainty, then with inspiration, “he would do splendidly to lead your cotillon, if you think of having one.” ¶ “So you do not dance, Mr. Crocker?” ¶ I was somewhat set back by her perspicuity.
He answered the question.
- 2
To speak in defence against; to reply to in defence.
to answer a charge or accusation
- 3
To respond to a call by someone at a door or telephone, or other similar piece of equipment.
She answered the door.
Nobody answered when I knocked on the door.
- 4
To suit a need or purpose satisfactorily.
It answers the need.
Mr. Knightley had done all in his power for Mr. Woodhouse’s entertainment. Books of engravings, drawers of medals, cameos, corals, shells, and every other family collection within his cabinets, had been prepared for his old friend, to while away the morning; and the kindness had perfectly answered.
Inexperienced girl as I was, I fired at the idea of becoming his dupe, and fancying, perhaps, that there was more in merely answering his note than it would have amounted to, I said — "That kind of thing may answer very well with button-makers, but ladies don't like it. […]
Of course for publication in a newspaper, my palaeotype would not answer, but my glossotype would enable the author to give his Pennsylvania German in an English form and much more intelligibly.
- 5
To be accountable or responsible; to make amends.
The man must answer to his employer for the money entrusted to his care.
He has a lot to answer for.
And pleaſe your Maiestie, let his Neck anſwere for it, if there is any Marſhall Law in the World.
- 6
To file a document in response to a complaint.
- 7
To correspond to; to be in harmony with; to be in agreement with.
1775, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The Duenna, Dublin: G. Burnet et al., 1794, Act II, Scene 2, p. 25, Egad, I wish she had answer’d her picture as well.
The use of dunder in the making of rum, answers the purpose of yeast in the fermentation of flour.
Before I knew about sex, I knew that the word queer was an insult associated with skiny boys who couldn't throw a football, and since I answered this description, I took my share of abuse.
- 8
To be opposite, or to act in opposition.
The windows answering each other, we could just discern the glowing horizon through them […]
- 9
To be or act in conformity, or by way of accommodation, correspondence, relation, or proportion; to conform; to correspond; to suit; usually with to.
[…] that the time may haue all ſhadow, and ſilence in it: and the place anſwere to conuenience
If this but answer to my just belief, / I’ll well remember you.
As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.
[…] I might carry about me several Weapons, which must needs be dangerous things, if they answered the Bulk of so prodigious a Person.
- 10
To respond to satisfactorily; to meet successfully by way of explanation, argument, or justification; to refute.
[…] no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.
These shifts refuted, answer thy appellant / Though by his blindness maim’d for high attempts, / Who now defies thee thrice to single fight,
The reasoning was not and could not be answered.
- 11
To be or act in compliance with, in fulfillment or satisfaction of, as an order, obligation, or demand.
He answered my claim upon him.
The servant answered the bell.
[…] this proud king […] studies day and night / To answer all the debts he owes unto you
The faster a ship sails, the better she will answer her helm; if she sail very slow, she will scarce steer at all. If she heel much, she won't answer the helm so well.
- 12
obsoleteTo render account to or for.
[…] I will, by to-morrow dinner-time, / Send him to answer thee, or any man, / For any thing he shall be charged withal:
- 13
obsoleteTo atone for; to be punished for.
[…] The noble Brutus / Hath told you Caesar was ambitious: / If it were so, it was a grievous fault, / And grievously hath Caesar answer’d it.
- 14
obsoleteTo be or act as an equivalent to, or as adequate or sufficient for; to serve for; to repay.
A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂ent- Proto-Indo-European *-s Proto-Indo-European *h₂éntsder. Proto-Germanic *anda- Proto-Indo-European *swer-der. Proto-Germanic *swarjaną Proto-Germanic *andaswarjaną Old English andswerian Middle English answeren English answer From Middle English answeren, andswaren, answerien, from Old English andswarian, answarien (“to answer, to respond, to deny an allegation under oath”), from Proto-Germanic *andaswarōną, *andaswarjaną (“to answer, to give a response, to rebut”), from *anda- (“against”) + *swarjaną, *swarōną (“to swear an oath, to answer, to respond”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂ent- (“face, forehead”) and *swer- (“to swear”). Cognate with Old Frisian ondswera (“to answer”), Danish ansvare (“to answer, account for”), Swedish ansvara (“to answer, account for”), Icelandic andsvara (“to answer, reply”).
Forms
- plural
- answers
- past tense
- answered
- past participle
- answered
- present participle
- answering
- third person singular
- answers
answer · A response or reply; something said or done in reaction to a statement or question.
answered · Having an answeranswering · The act of giving an answer.ant · Any of various insects in the family Formicidae in the order…