RESPONSIBLE


Meaning of RESPONSIBLE in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ ri-ˈspän(t)-sə-bəl ]

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 -blē 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

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.