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accountability

uh-kown-tuh-BIL-ih-tee /əˌkaʊntəˈbɪlɪti/

nounC1IELTSTOEFLGMAT

professionalpoliticalmedical

The fact or condition of being accountable; responsibility for one's actions and the obligation to explain them.

Accountability implies that there is an external standard or person to whom you must answer, whereas responsibility is often internal.

The story behind the word. The word originally comes from financial bookkeeping—literally being able to 'count' or 'account' for the money in your care. It evolved into the broader sense of answering for your conduct.

Word relationships

responsibility: Responsibility is the duty to act; accountability is the duty to answer for how you acted.

impunity: Exemption from punishment or freedom from the consequences of an action.

Commonly confused with

liability: Liability is a legal obligation to pay for damages; accountability is a broader moral and professional duty to explain actions.

Word family

accountable (adjective): Required or expected to justify actions or decisions.

Collocations

hold someone accountability
public accountability
lack of accountability

Idioms & expressions

the buck stops here

Example sentences

"The new system increases accountability by tracking which staff member administered each medication." Hospital management.
"Accountability is the hallmark of a democratic government." Political theory.

Memory hook

Accountability means you can 'Count' on someone to explain their actions. Answering for your actions.

When not to use

Don't use it as a synonym for 'blame.' You can be accountable for a success just as much as a failure.

Fun facts

In many languages, the word for 'accountability' and 'responsibility' is the same (e.g., 'responsabilidad' in Spanish), which can make the English distinction tricky for learners.

Related words

integrity, justice

Explore more words

accountable, answerable, liability, take responsibility, transparency, governance