responsible

[ri-spon-suh-buhl]

adjective

1. answerable or accountable, as for something within one's power, control, or management (often followed by to orfor ).

   He is responsible to the president for his decisions.

   Synonyms: liable

2. involving accountability or responsibility, as in having the power to control or manage.

   promoted to a responsible position in the firm.

3. chargeable with being the author, cause, or occasion of something (usually followed byfor ).

   Termites were responsible for the damage.

4. having a capacity for moral decisions and therefore accountable; capable of rational thought or action.

   The defendant is not responsible for his actions.

   Synonyms: competent

5. able to discharge obligations or pay debts.

   Synonyms: solvent

6. reliable or dependable, as in meeting debts, conducting business dealings, etc.

   Synonyms: trustworthy, reliable, capable, honest

7. (of a government, member of a government, government agency, or the like) answerable to or serving at the discretion of an elected legislature or the electorate.

responsible

/ rɪˈspɒnsəbəl /

adjective

1. having control or authority (over)

2. being accountable for one's actions and decisions (to)

   to be responsible to one's commanding officer

3. (of a position, duty, etc) involving decision and accountability

4. (often foll by for) being the agent or cause (of some action)

   to be responsible for a mistake

5. able to take rational decisions without supervision; accountable for one's own actions

   a responsible adult

6. able to meet financial obligations; of sound credit

Other Word Forms

• responsibleness noun
• responsibly adverb
• interresponsible adjective
• nonresponsible adjective
• nonresponsibleness noun
• nonresponsibly adverb
• preresponsible adjective
• quasi-responsible adjective
• quasi-responsibly adverb
• superresponsible adjective
• superresponsibleness noun
• superresponsibly adverb
• unresponsible adjective
• unresponsibleness noun
• unresponsibly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of responsible¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin respōns(us) ( response ( def. ) ) + -ible ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of responsible¹

C16: from Latin rēsponsus , from rēspondēre to _respond

Example Sentences

The Commission on Judicial Performance, the state agency responsible for probing complaints of judicial misconduct and incapacity as well as disciplining judges, issued its findings in August.

From Los Angeles Times

"Bus operators are responsible for the pay and conditions of their staff, and the specifics of any talks is a matter for them and the relevant trade union," it said.

From BBC

They will be responsible for delivering the government's policy on housebuilding, one of its most ambitious and important commitments.

From BBC

Arson, unsupervised kids and various agriculture, construction and landscaping equipment have been responsible for the lion’s share; however, even those are much more common along roadways and near developments, where BurnBot hopes to operate.

From Los Angeles Times

The Welsh government said local authorities are responsible for delivering learner transport and there are "no current plans" to review the mileage threshold.

From BBC

Related Words

• able 
• capable 
• competent 
• conscientious 
• effective 
• efficient 
• loyal 
• rational 
• reliable 
• sensible