answer
answer Lexical Profile
answer Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A spoken or written statement, or an action, made in reply to a question, request, letter, or remark.
"She waited patiently for an answer to her inquiry before proceeding with the application."
A solution to a problem, puzzle, or difficult situation, or the correct result of a test question or mathematical calculation.
"The research team is still searching for an effective answer to the region's water shortage."
A formal written defense or statement made by a defendant in response to charges or a legal complaint.
"The defense attorney filed a formal answer with the court denying all allegations of negligence."
• verb
To say, write, or do something as a reaction or reply to a question, letter, or person.
"The professor took extra time after the lecture to answer every student's question."
To pick up a ringing telephone or go to a door in response to a knock or doorbell.
"Could you please answer the door while I finish preparing dinner?"
To be suitable for, fulfill, or satisfy a particular need, purpose, or description.
"The police detained a suspect who answered the description provided by the eyewitnesses."
To be responsible or accountable for an action or to a person in authority (usually followed by 'to' or 'for').
"The project manager must answer directly to the board of directors for any budget overruns."
Word Nuance & Usage
As a transitive verb meaning to respond to someone or something, 'answer' takes a direct object without 'to' (e.g., 'She answered the question'), whereas as a noun it typically takes the preposition 'to' (e.g., 'an answer to the question'). However, the phrasal construction 'answer to' is used as a verb when meaning to be accountable to someone or to respond to a name.
• Rhymes for answer
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'andswaru' (noun) and 'andswarian' (verb), formed from the prefix 'and-' (against, in reply) and the Germanic root of 'swear' ('swerian'), originally denoting a solemn sworn statement made in rebuttal to a legal charge.