answerable

English

Alternative forms

• aunswerable (obsolete)

Etymology

From answer +‎ -able.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /ˈɑːsəɹəb(ə)l/
• (US) IPA: /ˈæn.sɛɹ.ʌ.bl/

Adjective

answerable (comparative more answerable, superlative most answerable)

1. Obliged to answer or be called to account (to somebody); accountable, responsible.

   Will any man argue that . . . he can not be justly punished, but is answerable only to God? --Swift.

2. (archaic) Correspondent, in accordance; comparable (to).

   What wit and policy of man is answerable to their discreet and orderly course? --Holland.

   • 1644, John Milton, Aeropagitica:

     To this revelation he assented the sooner, as he confesses, because it was answerable to that of the Apostle to the Thessalonians, Prove all things, hold fast that which is good.

3. (now rare) Proportionate; commensurate in amount; suitable.
4. (rare) Capable of being answered or refuted; admitting a satisfactory answer.

   The argument, though subtle, is yet answerable. --Johnson.

Derived terms

• answerability

Antonyms

• unanswerable

Translations

obliged to answer; liable to be called to account; liable to pay, indemnify, or make good

• Finnish: tilivelvollinen, vastuullinen

• Spanish: responsable (es)

capable of being answered or refuted; admitting a satisfactory answer

• Spanish: responsable (es)

correspondent; conformable; hence, comparable

proportionate; commensurate; suitable