answerable
AN-suhr-uh-buhl
/ˈænsərəbəl/
Required to explain or defend one's actions to a higher authority; responsible to someone.
Specifically emphasizes the relationship of reporting to a superior or authority figure who has the right to demand explanations.
The story behind the word. Derived from the Old English 'andswarian', meaning to make a counter-statement or swear a legal oath against an accusation. Over time, it evolved from a purely legal defense to a general state of being responsible to a higher authority.
Word relationships
- amenable: Amenable suggests a willingness to answer or submit to authority, whereas answerable is a strict requirement.
- independent: Not subject to control by others; not needing to explain oneself.
Commonly confused with
- accountable: Answerable emphasizes the act of reporting to a person of higher rank, while accountable focuses on the final outcome of a project or duty.
Word family
- answerability (noun): The quality or state of being answerable.
Collocations
- answerable to
- held answerable
- directly answerable
Example sentences
- "The general made it clear that every officer is answerable to the commander-in-chief." Military Command
- "A person is answerable for the damages caused by their domestic animals." Legal Proceedings
Memory hook
If you do something wrong, you must stand before your boss and 'answer' their questions. You are 'answerable' to them. You must answer to the boss if you are answerable.
When not to use
Do not use when you simply mean 'capable of being answered' (like an easy question).
Fun facts
- In old legal English, 'answerable' was used to describe a suspect who was physically available to stand trial.
Related words
Explore more words
accountability, actionable, take responsibility, liability, command, principled
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