responsible
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re·spon·si·ble
(rĭ-spŏn′sə-bəl)adj.
1.
a. Liable to be required to give account, as of one's actions or of the discharge of a duty or trust: Who is responsible while their parents are away?
b. Required to render account; answerable: The cabinet is responsible to the parliament.
2. Involving important duties, the supervision of others, or the ability to make decisions with little supervision: a responsible position within the firm.
3. Being a source or cause: Viruses are responsible for many diseases.
4.
a. Able to make moral or rational decisions on one's own and therefore answerable for one's behavior: At what age does a person become responsible?
b. Able to be trusted or depended upon; trustworthy or reliable: a responsible art dealer.
5. Based on or characterized by good judgment or sound thinking: responsible journalism.
[Obsolete French, corresponding to, from Latin respōnsus, past participle of respondēre, to respond; see respond.]
re·spon′si·ble·ness n.
re·spon′si·bly adv.
Synonyms: responsible, answerable, liable, accountable, amenable
These adjectives share the meaning obliged to answer, as for one's actions, to an authority that may impose a penalty for failure. Responsible often implies the satisfactory performance of duties or the trustworthy care for or disposition of possessions: "I am responsible for the ship's safety" (Robert Louis Stevenson).
Answerable suggests a moral or legal responsibility subject to review by a higher authority: The court held the parents answerable for their minor child's acts of vandalism. Liable refers to a legal obligation, as to pay damages: The builder is liable for the cost of delays. Accountable especially emphasizes giving an account of one's discharge of a responsibility: "The liberal philosophy holds that enduring governments must be accountable to someone beside themselves" (Walter Lippmann).
Amenable implies being subject to the control of an authority and therefore the absence of complete autonomy: "There is no constitutional tribunal to which [the king] is amenable" (Alexander Hamilton). See Also Synonyms at reliable.
These adjectives share the meaning obliged to answer, as for one's actions, to an authority that may impose a penalty for failure. Responsible often implies the satisfactory performance of duties or the trustworthy care for or disposition of possessions: "I am responsible for the ship's safety" (Robert Louis Stevenson).
Answerable suggests a moral or legal responsibility subject to review by a higher authority: The court held the parents answerable for their minor child's acts of vandalism. Liable refers to a legal obligation, as to pay damages: The builder is liable for the cost of delays. Accountable especially emphasizes giving an account of one's discharge of a responsibility: "The liberal philosophy holds that enduring governments must be accountable to someone beside themselves" (Walter Lippmann).
Amenable implies being subject to the control of an authority and therefore the absence of complete autonomy: "There is no constitutional tribunal to which [the king] is amenable" (Alexander Hamilton). See Also Synonyms at reliable.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
responsible
(rɪˈspɒnsəbəl)adj
1. (usually foll by: for) having control or authority (over)
2. (foll by: to) 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. (Banking & Finance) able to meet financial obligations; of sound credit
[C16: from Latin rēsponsus, from rēspondēre to respond]
reˈsponsibleness n
reˈsponsibly adv
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
re•spon•si•ble
(rɪˈspɒn sə bəl)adj.
1. accountable, as for something within one's power.
2. involving responsibility: a responsible position.
3. chargeable with being the source or occasion of something (usu. fol. by for).
4. having a capacity for moral decisions and therefore accountable: a defendant not responsible for his actions.
5. able to discharge obligations or pay debts.
6. reliable or dependable, as in conducting one's affairs.
re•spon′si•bly, adv.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
responsible
1. 'responsible for'
If you are responsible for doing something, it is your job or duty to do it.
The children were responsible for cleaning their own rooms.
Be Careful!
Don't say that someone is 'responsible to do' something.
If you are responsible for something bad that has happened, it is your fault.
They were charged with being responsible for the death of two policemen.
Be Careful!
Don't use any preposition except for after responsible in a sentence like this.
2. used after a noun
Responsible can also be used after a noun. If you talk about 'the person responsible', you mean 'the person who is responsible for what has happened'.
I hope they police find the man responsible.
The company responsible refused to say what happened.
3. used in front of a noun
However, if you use responsible in front of a noun, it has a completely different meaning. A responsible person is someone who can be trusted to behave properly and sensibly.
Responsible adults wouldn't leave poisons lying around for their children to play with.
Responsible behaviour is sensible and correct.
I thought it was a very responsible decision.
Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Adj. | 1. | responsible - worthy of or requiring responsibility or trust; or held accountable; "a responsible adult"; "responsible journalism"; "a responsible position"; "the captain is responsible for the ship's safety"; "the cabinet is responsible to the parliament" obligated - caused by law or conscience to follow a certain course; "felt obligated to repay the kindness"; "was obligated to pay off the student loan" prudent - careful and sensible; marked by sound judgment; "a prudent manager"; "prudent rulers"; "prudent hesitation"; "more prudent to hide than to fight" trustworthy, trusty - worthy of trust or belief; "a trustworthy report"; "an experienced and trustworthy traveling companion" irresponsible - showing lack of care for consequences; "behaved like an irresponsible idiot"; "hasty and irresponsible action" |
| 2. | responsible - being the agent or cause; "determined who was the responsible party"; "termites were responsible for the damage" causative - producing an effect; "poverty as a causative factor in crime" | |
| 3. | responsible - having an acceptable credit rating; "a responsible borrower" trustworthy, trusty - worthy of trust or belief; "a trustworthy report"; "an experienced and trustworthy traveling companion" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
responsible
adjective
2. in charge, in control, at the helm, in authority, carrying the can (informal) the minister responsible for the environment
3. accountable, subject, bound, liable, amenable, answerable, duty-bound, chargeable, under obligation I'm responsible to my board of directors.
accountable unaccountable
accountable unaccountable
4. sensible, sound, adult, stable, mature, reliable, rational, sober, conscientious, dependable, trustworthy, level-headed He's a very responsible sort of person.
sensible irresponsible, unreliable, untrustworthy, undependable, unconscientious
sensible irresponsible, unreliable, untrustworthy, undependable, unconscientious
5. authoritative, high, important, executive, decision-making demoted to less responsible jobs
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
responsible
adjective1. Legally obligated:
2. Capable of being depended upon:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
جدير بالثِّقَةعَمَلٌ فيه مسؤوليَّهمَسْؤُولمَسْؤول عنمَسؤول عَن
odpovědnýspolehlivýzodpovědný
ansvarligskyld i
vastuullinen
odgovoran
felelõsségteljesok: oka
ábyrgîarmikillábyrgurábyrgur gerîa sinnaábyrgur, áreiîanlegurbera ábyrgî á
責任がある
책임이 있는
zodpovedný
odgovorenzanesljiv
ansvarig
รับผิดชอบ
chịu trách nhiệm
responsible
[rɪsˈpɒnsəbl] ADJ1. (= accountable) → responsable
those responsible will be punished → se castigará a los responsables
who is responsible if anything goes wrong? → ¿quién es el responsable si algo sale mal?
to be responsible for sth: he is not responsible for his actions → no es responsable de sus actos
who is responsible for this? → ¿quién es el responsable de esto?
who was responsible for the delay? → ¿quién tiene la culpa del retraso?
to hold sb responsible for sth → hacer a algn responsable de algo → responsabilizar a algn de algo
to be responsible to sb (for sth) → ser responsable ante algn (de algo)
those responsible will be punished → se castigará a los responsables
who is responsible if anything goes wrong? → ¿quién es el responsable si algo sale mal?
to be responsible for sth: he is not responsible for his actions → no es responsable de sus actos
who is responsible for this? → ¿quién es el responsable de esto?
who was responsible for the delay? → ¿quién tiene la culpa del retraso?
to hold sb responsible for sth → hacer a algn responsable de algo → responsabilizar a algn de algo
to be responsible to sb (for sth) → ser responsable ante algn (de algo)
2. (= in charge of) to be responsible for sth/sb: the children were responsible for tidying their own rooms → los niños tenían la responsabilidad or eran responsables de ordenar sus habitaciones
she is responsible for 40 children → tiene a su cargo 40 niños
the secretary is responsible for taking the minutes → la secretaria se hace cargo de levantar el acta
she is responsible for 40 children → tiene a su cargo 40 niños
the secretary is responsible for taking the minutes → la secretaria se hace cargo de levantar el acta
3. (= sensible) [person] → serio, responsable; [behaviour, attitude] → responsable
to act in a responsible fashion → obrar de forma responsable or con responsabilidad
that wasn't very responsible of you! → ¡eso ha sido una falta de responsabilidad por tu parte!
to act in a responsible fashion → obrar de forma responsable or con responsabilidad
that wasn't very responsible of you! → ¡eso ha sido una falta de responsabilidad por tu parte!
4. (= important) [post, job] → de responsabilidad
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
responsible
[rɪˈspɒnsɪbəl] adj (= in charge) → responsable
to be responsible for sth (= in charge of) → être responsable de qch
the minister responsible for the environment → le ministre responsable de l'environnement
to be responsible for doing sth (= in charge of) → être responsable de faire qch
He is responsible for finding the volunteers → Il est responsable de trouver des volontaires.
He's responsible for booking the tickets
BUT Il est responsable de la réservation des billets.
The children were responsible for cleaning their own rooms
BUT Les enfants étaient responsables du nettoyage de leur chambre.
to be financially responsible for sb → être financièrement responsable de qn
to be responsible for sth (= in charge of) → être responsable de qch
the minister responsible for the environment → le ministre responsable de l'environnement
to be responsible for doing sth (= in charge of) → être responsable de faire qch
He is responsible for finding the volunteers → Il est responsable de trouver des volontaires.
He's responsible for booking the tickets
BUT Il est responsable de la réservation des billets.
The children were responsible for cleaning their own rooms
BUT Les enfants étaient responsables du nettoyage de leur chambre.
to be financially responsible for sb → être financièrement responsable de qn
(= to blame) → responsable
Try to find out who's responsible → Essayez de trouver qui est responsable.
to be responsible for sth (= to blame for) → être responsable de qch
The group was responsible for a wave of attacks → Le groupe était responsable d'une vague d'attentats.
to feel responsible for sth → se sentir responsable de qch
Try to find out who's responsible → Essayez de trouver qui est responsable.
to be responsible for sth (= to blame for) → être responsable de qch
The group was responsible for a wave of attacks → Le groupe était responsable d'une vague d'attentats.
to feel responsible for sth → se sentir responsable de qch
(= accountable) → responsable
to be responsible for sth (= accountable) → être responsable de qch
He isn't responsible for his behaviour → Il n'est pas responsable de ses actes.
to be responsible to sb → être responsable devant qn
to be responsible for sth (= accountable) → être responsable de qch
He isn't responsible for his behaviour → Il n'est pas responsable de ses actes.
to be responsible to sb → être responsable devant qn
(= reliable) [person, attitude] → responsable
You should be more responsible → Tu devrais être plus responsable.
He's a very responsible sort of person → C'est quelqu'un de très responsable.
You should be more responsible → Tu devrais être plus responsable.
He's a very responsible sort of person → C'est quelqu'un de très responsable.
[job, position] → à responsabilités
It's a responsible job → C'est un poste à responsabilités.
Being a doctor is a very responsible job → Être médecin comporte de nombreuses responsabilités.
It's a responsible job → C'est un poste à responsabilités.
Being a doctor is a very responsible job → Être médecin comporte de nombreuses responsabilités.
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
responsible
adj
(denoting cause) → verantwortlich; (= to blame) → schuld (→ for an +dat); bad workmanship was responsible for the failure → schlechte Arbeit war an dem Versagen schuld; what’s responsible for the hold-up? → woran liegt die Verzögerung?; who is responsible for breaking the window? → wer hat das Fenster eingeschlagen?
(= liable, answerable) → verantwortlich; she is not responsible for her actions → sie ist für ihre Handlungen nicht voll verantwortlich; to be responsible to somebody for something → jdm gegenüber für etw verantwortlich sein; to be directly responsible to somebody → jdm unmittelbar unterstellt sein; to hold somebody responsible for something → jdn für etw verantwortlich machen; she is responsible for popularizing the sport (her task) → es ist ihre Aufgabe or sie ist dafür verantwortlich, die Sportart populärer zu machen; (her merit) → es ist ihr zu verdanken, dass die Sportart populär geworden ist
(= involving responsibility) job → verantwortungsvoll
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
responsible
[rɪˈspɒnsəbl] adj → responsabile; (trustworthy) → fidato/ato be responsible for sth → essere responsabile di qc
to be responsible to sb (for sth) → dover rispondere a qn (di qc)
to hold sb responsible for → ritenere qn responsabile di
it's a responsible job → è un posto di responsabilità
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
respond
(rəˈspond) verb (with to).
1. to answer with words, a reaction, gesture etc. He didn't respond to my question; I smiled at her, but she didn't respond.
2. to show a good reaction eg to some course of treatment. His illness did not respond to treatment by drugs.
3. (of vehicles etc) to be guided easily by controls. The pilot said the plane did not respond to the controls.
reˈsponse (-s) noun1. a reply or reaction. Our letters have never met with any response; My suggestions met with little response.
2. (usually in plural) in church services, a part spoken by the congregation rather than the priest.
reˌsponsiˈbility (-sə-) – plural reˌsponsiˈbilities – noun1. something which a person has to look after, do etc. He takes his responsibilities very seriously.
2. the state of having important duties. a position of responsibility.
3. the state of being responsible. his responsibility for the accident.
reˈsponsible (-səbl) adjective1. having a duty to see that something is done etc. We'll make one person responsible for buying the food for the trip.
2. (of a job etc) having many duties eg the making of important decisions. The job of manager is a very responsible post.
3. (with for) being the cause of something. Who is responsible for the stain on the carpet?
4. (of a person) able to be trusted; sensible. We need a responsible person for this job.
5. (with for) able to control, and fully aware of (one's actions). The lawyer said that at the time of the murder, his client was not responsible for his actions.
reˈsponsibly (-sə-) adverb in a trustworthy or serious way. Do try to behave responsibly.
reˈsponsive (-siv) adjective (negative unresponsive). a responsive, kindly girl; a responsive smile; The disease is responsive to treatment.
reˈsponsively adverbreˈsponsiveness noun
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
responsible
→ مَسْؤُول odpovědný ansvarlig verantwortlich υπεύθυνος responsable vastuullinen responsable odgovoran responsabile 責任がある 책임이 있는 verantwoordelijk ansvarlig odpowiedzialny responsável ответственный ansvarig รับผิดชอบ sorumlu chịu trách nhiệm 负责的Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
responsible
a. responsable.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012