answer

Meaning

Noun

1. A response or reply; something said or done in reaction to a statement or question.
2. A solution to a problem.
3. Someone or something that fills a similar role or position.
4. A document filed in response to a complaint, responding to each point raised in the complaint and raising counterpoints.

Verb

1. (ambitransitive) To make a reply or response to.
2. (transitive) To speak in defence against; to reply to in defence.
3. (ambitransitive) To respond to a call by someone at a door or telephone, or other similar piece of equipment.
4. (ambitransitive) To suit a need or purpose satisfactorily.
5. To be accountable or responsible; to make amends.
6. To file a document in response to a complaint.
7. To correspond to; to be in harmony with; to be in agreement with.
8. To be opposite, or to act in opposition.
9. To be or act in conformity, or by way of accommodation, correspondence, relation, or proportion; to conform; to correspond; to suit; usually with to.
10. To respond to satisfactorily; to meet successfully by way of explanation, argument, or justification; to refute.
11. To be or act in compliance with, in fulfillment or satisfaction of, as an order, obligation, or demand.
12. (obsolete) To render account to or for.
13. (obsolete) To atone for; to be punished for.
14. (obsolete) To be or act as an equivalent to, or as adequate or sufficient for; to serve for; to repay.

Synonyms

reply

respond

response

solution

retort

rejoinder

account

resolve

reaction

return

solve

key

🔑

react

explanation

rejoin

defense

serve

reply to

satisfy

counter

resolution

replica

rebuttal

do

objection

plea

repay

cue

suffice

crackdown

accept

🉑

sass

riposte

correspond

result

retaliate

report

echo

present

come back

comeback

translate

replication

n

meet

give back

fulfill

fill

explain

fulfil

Translations

répondre

réponse

Antwort

antworten

risposta

rispondere

respuesta

contestar

responder

resposta

responder

antwoord

antwoorden

απάντηση

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈɑːn.sə/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: answere

Inherited from Old English: andswaru

Cognate with Old Frisian: ondser

Cognate with Old Saxon: andswōr

Cognate with Danish: -

Cognate with Swedish: ansvar

Cognate with Icelandic: andsvar

Cognate with Old English: andwyrde

Cognate with Dutch: antwoord

Cognate with German: Antwort

Cognate with Old English: andcwiss

Cognate with German: Schwur

Inherited from Middle English: answeren

Inherited from Old English: andswarian

Cognate with Old Frisian: ondswera

Cognate with Danish: ansvare

Cognate with Swedish: ansvara

Cognate with Icelandic: andsvara

In summary

From Middle English answere, andsware, from Old English andswaru (“answer”), from and- (“against”) + swaru (“affirmation”), (from Proto-Indo-European *h₂ent- (“front, forehead”) and Old English swerian (“to swear”), from Proto-Indo-European *swer-), suggesting an original meaning of "a sworn statement rebutting a charge". The cognates suggest the existence of Proto-Germanic *andaswarō (“a reply to a question”). Cognate with Old Frisian ondser (“answer”), Old Saxon andswōr (“answer”), Danish and Swedish ansvar (“liability, responsibility, answer”), Icelandic andsvar (“answer, response”). Compare also Old English andwyrde (“answer”) (cognate to Dutch antwoord, German Antwort), Old English andcwiss (“reply”), German Schwur (“oath, vow”).

Sentences

And nobody could accept that answer .

He co-starred with Kate Burton in both Give Me Your Answer , Do !

The Englishman didn't answer him directly .

The boy mumbled an answer that allowed him to avoid responding to her question .