• Answer

    Pronunciation

    • RP IPA: /ˈɑːn.sÉ™(ɹ)/
    • US IPA: /ˈæn.sÉš/
    • Rhymes: -ɑːnsÉ™(ɹ), -ænsÉ™(ɹ)

    Origin 1

    Alternative forms

    From Middle English answere, andsware, from Old English andswaru ("answer"), from Proto-Germanic *andaswarō ("answer"), equivalent to - + swear. 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").

    Full definition of answer

    Noun

    answer

    (plural answers)
    1. A response or reply; something said or done in reaction to a statement or question.Her answer to his proposal was a slap in the face.
    2. A solution to a problem.There is no simple answer to corruption.
    3. (legal) A document filed in response to a complaint, responding to each point raised in the complaint and raising counterpoints.A building on the Riverfront Terrace of the Taj Mahal

    Derived terms

    Origin 2

    From Middle English answeren, andswaren, from Old English andswarian ("to answer, respond, give an answer"), from Proto-Germanic *and- ("back, in return") + *swarō ("oath"), from Proto-Germanic *swarjaną ("to speak, swear"), equivalent to - + swear. Cognate with Old Frisian ondswera ("to answer"), Danish ansvare ("to answer, account for"), Swedish ansvara ("to answer, account for"), Icelandic andsvara ("to answer, reply").

    Verb

    1. (ambitransitive) To make a reply or response to.
      • Bible, 1 Kings xviii. 26There was no voice, nor any that answered.
      • ShakespeareShe answers him as if she knew his mind.
      • 1898, Winston Churchill, The Celebrity Chapter 4, “Well,” I answered, at first with uncertainty, then with inspiration, “he would do splendidly to lead your cotillon, if you think of having one.” ¶ “So you do not dance, Mr. Crocker?” ¶ I was somewhat set back by her perspicuity.
    2. He answered the question.
    3. (transitive) To speak in defence against; to reply to in defence.to answer a charge or accusation
    4. (ambitransitive) To respond to a call by someone at a door or telephone, or other similar piece of equipment.
      She answered the door.
      Nobody answered when I knocked on the door.
    5. To suit a need or purpose satisfactorily.
      • 1903, Samuel Butler, The Way of All Flesh, Ch. 41Theobald spoke as if watches had half-a-dozen purposes besides time-keeping, but he could hardly open his mouth without using one or other of his tags, and "answering every purpose" was one of them.
    6. It answers the need.
    7. To be accountable or responsible; to make amends.The man must answer to his employer for the money entrusted to his care.
      • ShakespeareLet his neck answer for it, if there is any martial law.
    8. (legal) To file a document in response to a complaint.
    9. To correspond to; to be in harmony with; to be in agreement with.
      • 1775, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The Duenna, Act 2, Scene 2I wish she had answered her picture as well.
      • B. EdwardsThe use of dunder in the making of rum answers the purpose of yeast in the fermentation of flour.
    10. To be opposite, or to act in opposition.
      • GilpinThe windows answering each other, we could just discern the glowing horizon through them.
    11. To be or act in conformity, or by way of accommodation, correspondence, relation, or proportion; to conform; to correspond; to suit; usually with to.
      • Jonathan SwiftWeapons must needs be dangerous things, if they answered the bulk of so prodigious a person.
      • ShakespeareThat the time may have all shadow and silence in it, and the place answer to convenience.
      • ShakespeareIf this but answer to my just belief,
        I'll remember you.
      • Bible, Proverbs xxvii. 19As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.
    12. To respond to satisfactorily; to meet successfully by way of explanation, argument, or justification; to refute.
      • Bible, Matt. xxii. 46No man was able to answer him a word.
      • MiltonThese shifts refuted, answer thine appellant.
      • MacaulayThe reasoning was not and could not be answered.
    13. To be or act in compliance with, in fulfillment or satisfaction of, as an order, obligation, or demand.He answered my claim upon him.The servant answered the bell.
      • ShakespeareThis proud king ... studies day and night
        To answer all the debts he owes unto you.
    14. (obsolete) To render account to or for.
      • ShakespeareI will ... send him to answer thee.
    15. (obsolete) To atone; to be punished for.
      • ShakespeareAnd grievously hath Caesar answered it.
    16. (obsolete) To be or act as an equivalent to, or as adequate or sufficient for; to serve for; to repay.
      • Bible, Eccles. x. 19Money answereth all things.

    Derived terms

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