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accountability

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

nounC1SATACTGMATTOEFLIELTS

professionalacademicpolitical

The fact or condition of being required to justify actions or decisions; responsibility for the outcome of one's work.

Distinct from 'responsibility' (which is the obligation to do the work). 'Accountability' is the obligation to answer for the results of that work—whether they are good or bad.

The story behind the word. The word traces back to financial bookkeeping. A clerk had to present an 'account'—a literal counting of the money—to prove they hadn't stolen anything. If the numbers didn't add up, they were held 'accountable' for the missing funds.

Word relationships

answerability: 'Answerability' is a close synonym but is slightly more informal, focusing on the act of giving an explanation.
liability: 'Liability' has a strong legal and financial connotation, meaning you are legally bound to pay for damages or debts.

impunity: 'Impunity' is exemption from punishment or freedom from the consequences of one's actions.
irresponsibility: 'Irresponsibility' is a lack of care or regard for the consequences of one's behavior.

Commonly confused with

responsibility: You can delegate 'responsibility' (the work itself), but you can never fully delegate 'accountability' (the final answerability for the outcome).

Word family

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

Collocations

hold someone accountable
lines of accountability
demand accountability
mutual accountability

Idioms & expressions

the buck stops here

Example sentences

"Without clear lines of accountability, it is impossible to determine which department is responsible for the project's failure." A report on public administration reform.

Memory hook

Think of an 'accountant' who has to explain every single penny in the ledger. If the math is wrong, they must answer for it. Explain the ledger.

When not to use

Do not use as a direct synonym for 'blame' in a purely negative sense; accountability is a neutral, structural concept that applies to successes as well.

Fun facts

The phrase 'the buck stops here' was popularized by US President Harry S. Truman to signify that he held ultimate accountability for the nation's decisions.

Related words

autonomy, delegate

Explore more words

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