responsible

adjective

re·​spon·​si·​ble ri-ˈspän(t)-sə-bəl 

1

a

: liable to be called on to answer

We are responsible for our own actions.

Supplement manufacturers are responsible for testing the safety of their products.

—Courtney Southwick

b(1)

: liable to be called to account as the primary cause, motive, or agent : being worthy of credit or blame

a committee responsible for organizing the party

My grandfather is the one responsible for my love of country music.

—Jake Harris

(2)

: being the cause or explanation

mechanical defects were responsible for the accident

These same rays are also responsible for vitamin D synthesis, which plays an important role in immune and bone health.

—Kaitlin Sullivan

c

: liable to legal review or in case of fault to penalties

Neither of those conditions … should prevent the defendant from being held criminally responsible for his actions.

—Ivy Scott

2

a

: able to answer for one's conduct and obligations : trustworthy

responsible dog owners

responsible drivers

b

: able to choose for oneself between right and wrong

a responsible citizen

3

: marked by or involving responsibility or accountability

environmentally responsible legislation

responsible financial policies

Consumers are often asked to make more responsible choices.

—Spencer M. Ross

4

: politically answerable

especially : required to submit to the electorate if defeated by the legislature

—used especially of the British cabinet

responsibleness noun

responsibly

ri-ˈspän(t)-sə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms of responsible

• liable

Choose the Right Synonym for responsible

responsible, answerable, accountable, amenable, liable mean subject to being held to account.

responsible implies holding a specific office, duty, or trust.

the bureau responsible for revenue collection

answerable suggests a relation between one having a moral or legal obligation and a court or other authority charged with oversight of its observance.

an intelligence agency answerable to Congress

accountable suggests imminence of retribution for unfulfilled trust or violated obligation.

elected officials are accountable to the voters

amenable and liable stress the fact of subjection to review, censure, or control by a designated authority under certain conditions.

laws are amenable to judicial review

not liable for the debts of the former spouse

Examples of responsible in a Sentence

"If you all die of typhoid I won't be responsible!" he snapped. "If you die of dullness, neither will I," Helen echoed in her heart. —Virginia Woolf, The Voyage Out, 1915

I have long since ceased to cherish any spirit of bitterness against the Southern white people on account of the enslavement of my race. No one section of our country was wholly responsible for its introduction, and, besides, it was recognized and protected for years by the General Government. —Booker T. Washington, Up from Slavery, 1900, 1901

He resumed our walk with me, passing his hand into my arm. "Then when AM I going back?" I wore, in turning it over, my most responsible air. —Henry James, The Turn of the Screw, 1898

She is a very responsible worker.

Is he responsible enough to have a car?

Recent Examples on the Web

It’s made from 100 percent cashmere certified by The Good Cashmere Standard organization, which supports responsible production in Mongolia. —Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 31 Oct. 2025

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding the tenant’s passing, the lease and all its terms and obligations transfer to their estate, which is legally responsible for paying rent until the contract is terminated. —Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025

Canada is part of the binational command NORAD, which is responsible for aerospace warning of attack, aerospace control and maritime warning for North America. —Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025

The department is responsible for ensuring safety protocols are followed through every stage of spacecraft development and testing, and when scientists and engineers interface with potential hazards like high-pressure procedures, vacuum chambers, radioactive materials and heavyweight hardware. —Josh Dinner, Space.com, 31 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Anglo-French responsable, from respuns — see response

First Known Use

1643, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing responsible

• hold (someone) responsible

Rhymes for responsible

• sponsible
• irresponsible

Kids Definition

responsible

adjective

re·​spon·​si·​ble ri-ˈspän(t)-sə-bəl 

1

a

: being the one who must answer or account for something

the committee responsible for the job

b

: being the cause or explanation

the germ responsible for the disease

2

a

: able to meet one's obligations : reliable

a responsible citizen

b

: able to choose for oneself between right and wrong

3

: requiring a person to take charge of or be trusted with important matters

a responsible job

responsibleness noun

responsibly

-blē 

adverb

Legal Definition

responsible

adjective

re·​spon·​si·​ble

1

a

: liable to be called on to answer

b

: liable to be called to account as the primary cause, motive, or agent

c

: liable to legal review or in case of fault to penalties

2

: characterized by trustworthiness, integrity, and requisite abilities and resources

awarded the contract to the lowest responsible bidder

3

: able to choose for oneself between right and wrong

4

: marked by or involving accountability

a responsible office

responsibility noun

responsibleness noun

responsibly adverb