answer
2answer
verban·sweredan·swer·ing\ˈan(t)s-riŋ, ˈan(t)-sə-\
Definition of ANSWER
intransitive verb
1
: to speak or write in reply
2
a : to be or make oneself responsible or accountable <answer for a debt> b : to make amends : atone <must answer for his crimes>
3
: to be in conformity or correspondence <answered to the description>
4
: to act in response to an action performed elsewhere or by another <the home team scored first but the visitors answered quickly>
5
: to be adequate : serve <an old bucket answered for a sink>
transitive verb
1
a : to speak or write in reply to <answer a question> <answer me> b : to say or write by way of reply <answer yes or no>
2
: to reply to in rebuttal, justification, or explanation <answer an accusation>
3
a : to correspond to <answers the description> b : to be adequate or usable for : fulfill <answer a need>
4
obsolete : to atone for
5
: to act in response to <answered the call to arms>
6
: to offer a solution for; especially : solve <answer a riddle>
— an·swer·er \ˈan(t)-sər-ər\ noun
See Examples of ANSWER
- She answered all my questions.
- He answered only three of the test questions correctly.
- When the police asked him his name, he refused to answer.
- When I ask you a question I expect you to answer me!
- Answer me this: where have you put my money?
- I sent her a letter asking for her help, but she never answered.
- The phone rang repeatedly, but no one answered.
- Would somebody please answer the phone?
- I knocked on the door but no one answered.
- No one answered the door.
First Known Use of ANSWER
before 12th century
Related to ANSWER
Related Words: acknowledge, comment, communicate, correspond, react, remark; counter, defend, deny, explain, field, rebut, refute
Near Antonyms: challenge, cross-examine, examine, grill, interrogate, pump, quiz; poll, query, survey
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