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accountability

uh-kown-tuh-BIL-uh-tee /əˌkaʊntəˈbɪləti/

nounB2TOEFLIELTSGREUPSC

formalpoliticalbusiness

The fact or condition of being accountable; responsibility to explain, justify, and answer for actions or decisions.

Emphasizes answerability to stakeholders or the public, supported by mechanisms for enforcement or consequences.

The story behind the word. Traces back through Anglo-French to Latin 'computare' (to calculate or reckon). In feudal England, royal auditors required landholders to physically present their 'accounts' to explain how revenues were managed, giving birth to the modern sense of civic answerability.

Word relationships

answerability: Answerability is the obligation to respond, whereas accountability includes facing consequences.
responsibility: Responsibility is the duty to perform a task, while accountability is being answerable for the outcome.

impunity: Freedom from consequences or punishment for harmful actions.

Commonly confused with

accounting: Accounting is the mathematical keeping of financial ledgers, whereas accountability is political/moral answerability.

Word family

accountable (adjective): Required or expected to justify actions or decisions.
accountably (adverb): In an accountable manner.

Collocations

ensure accountability
hold to accountability
lack of accountability
public accountability

Idioms & expressions

the buck stops here

Example sentences

"Public accountability is essential to ensuring that elected leaders serve the people rather than private interests." Democratic Governance
"The new board instituted transparent financial reporting to increase executive accountability." Corporate Governance

Memory hook

ACCOUNT-ability = being able to explain the financial or moral account of your actions. Ready to give an accounting.

When not to use

Do not confuse with personal moral duty (responsibility); accountability requires an external party or system to which one must answer.

Fun facts

Many languages (like French or Spanish) use the same word for 'responsibility' and 'accountability', making the distinction uniquely explicit in English public policy.

Related words

disclosure, expose, impunity

Explore more words

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