adj.
Pronunciation: ri- ' spän(t)-s ə -b ə l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Anglo-French responsable, from respuns
Date: 1643
1 a : liable to be called on to answer b (1) : liable to be called to account as the primary cause, motive, or agent <a committee responsible for the job> (2) : being the cause or explanation <mechanical defects were responsible for the accident> c : liable to legal review or in case of fault to penalties
2 a : able to answer for one's conduct and obligations : TRUSTWORTHY b : able to choose for oneself between right and wrong
3 : marked by or involving responsibility or accountability < responsible financial policies> <a responsible job>
4 : politically answerable especially : required to submit to the electorate if defeated by the legislature ― used especially of the British cabinet
– re · spon · si · ble · ness noun
– re · spon · si · bly \ -bl ē \ adverb
synonyms RESPONSIBLE , ANSWERABLE , ACCOUNTABLE , AMENABLE , LIABLE mean subject to being held to account. RESPONSIBLE implies holding a specific office, duty, or trust <the bureau responsible for revenue collection>. ANSWERABLE suggests a relation between one having a moral or legal obligation and a court or other authority charged with oversight of its observance <an intelligence agency answerable to Congress>. ACCOUNTABLE suggests imminence of retribution for unfulfilled trust or violated obligation <elected officials are accountable to the voters>. AMENABLE and LIABLE stress the fact of subjection to review, censure, or control by a designated authority under certain conditions <laws are amenable to judicial review> <not liable for the debts of the former spouse>.