accountable

adjective ac·count·able \ ə-ˈkau̇n-tə-bəl \

Updated on: 18 Apr 2018

Definition of accountable

1 : subject to giving an account : answerable

held her accountable for the damage

2 : capable of being explained : explainable

… leaving aside variations accountable as printer's errors …
—Peter Shaw

—

accountableness

play \-ˈkau̇n-tə-bəl-nəs\ noun

—

accountably

play \-blē\ adverb

See accountable defined for English-language learners

See accountable defined for kids

Examples of accountable in a Sentence

If anything goes wrong I will hold you personally accountable!
the owner was held accountable for his dog's biting of the child

Recent Examples of accountable from the Web

Sale said the vigil was meant to hold the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department accountable for their part in Clark's shooting, unlike previous protests that focused on the Sacramento Police Department.

— nashelly chavez, alexei koseff, brad branan and anita chabria, sacbee, "Stephon Clark protester hit by Sacramento County sheriff vehicle during vigil, video shows | The Sacramento Bee," 31 Mar. 2018
The fact that people were calling him out and sharing the story and talking about what happened was probably the most deeply accountable that he was ever held.

— samantha melamed, Philly.com, "Why Philly sexual-assault victims look to Facebook for 'street justice'," 30 Mar. 2018
The idea is to hold students accountable because school is about education first and the extracurriculars are a benefit for taking care of the business.

— erika butler, The Aegis, "Harford school board debates extracurricular eligibility changes," 30 Mar. 2018
Even just in lifting, holding each other more accountable.

— blair kerkhoff, kansascity, "There's a Big Red revival underway at Nebraska thanks to Scott Frost's return | The Kansas City Star," 16 Mar. 2018
The governor and Legislature are accountable to Permanent Fund shareholders.

— author: jim crawford | opinion, Anchorage Daily News, "Permanent Fund dividend is yours. Demand its constitutional protection.," 24 Jan. 2018
Like multi-millionaire players protesting a parade by working-class fans protesting the 0 -16 performance the players, coaches,team management and ownership are accountable for.

— jeff darcy, cleveland.com, "Browns' players lose by deriding parade: Darcy cartoon," 11 Jan. 2018
Finding accountability There are two main ways that law enforcement agents can be held accountable after an incident involving use of force results in a civilian death or injury.

— jessica mendoza, The Christian Science Monitor, "At Stephon Clark funeral, a familiar story amplifies drumbeat for change," 30 Mar. 2018
The bill's sponsor, State Rep. Patricia Smith, D-Baton Rouge, argued that children should not be held accountable for the responsibilities of their parents.

— wilborn p. nobles iii, NOLA.com, "Lawmakers advance bill to ban lunch shaming at public schools," 28 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'accountable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of accountable

Middle English accountable, accomptable, borrowed from Anglo-French acomptable, from acunter "to ²account" + -able -able

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

accountable Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of accountable

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

ACCOUNTABLE Defined for English Language Learners

accountable

adjective

Definition of accountable for English Language Learners

: required to explain actions or decisions to someone
: required to be responsible for something

ACCOUNTABLE Defined for Kids

accountable

adjective ac·count·able \ ə-ˈkȧun-tə-bəl \

Definition of accountable for Students

1 : required to explain actions or decisions

The mayor is accountable to the city's residents.

2 : responsible 1

You're accountable for your mistakes.

Law Dictionary

accountable

adjective ac·count·able \ ə-ˈkau̇n-tə-bəl \

legal Definition of accountable

1 : liable

accountable for the burglary

2 : obliged to accept responsibility

the bank accountable for payment of the check

—

accountability

play \ə-ˌkau̇n-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

Learn More about accountable

See words that rhyme with accountable Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for accountable Spanish Central: Translation of accountable Nglish: Translation of accountable for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of accountable for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up accountable? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

accountable

Definition of accountable

accountableness

accountably

Examples of accountable in a Sentence

Recent Examples of accountable from the Web

Origin and Etymology of accountable

accountable Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Synonym Discussion of accountable

ACCOUNTABLE Defined for English Language Learners

accountable

Definition of accountable for English Language Learners

ACCOUNTABLE Defined for Kids

accountable

Definition of accountable for Students

Law Dictionary

accountable

legal Definition of accountable

accountability

Learn More about accountable

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Words We're Watching: 'Bluebeard,' the Verb

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Trending: Trump: Den of Thieves and 'Lowlifes'

The Adverb: A Most Fascinating POS

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes