accountable

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

|Updated on: 12 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: accountable in a Sentence

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

The official Twitter account of the NBA Referees Association made a commendable step to be transparent and accountable with the NBA Finals’ officiating on Wednesday.

— andrew joseph, For The Win, "The NBA Referees finally explained why Draymond Green didn't get a 2nd technical," 7 June 2018
Markle has been a UN Women advocate since 2015 and Clooney has spoken at the UN several times in the past few years in an effort to make ISIS accountable for genocide.

— erica gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Amal Clooney Is Helping Meghan Markle Adjust to Her New Life in London," 30 May 2018
Over a year before #MeToo permeated the international conversation, journalist Jessica Luther reported on ballerina Lissa Curtis’ exceedingly brave decision to hold her rapist — her former ballet instructor — accountable in court.

— emily perper, Longreads, "On Pointe: Reading on Ballet," 23 May 2018
In what corners of the world will the British Empire’s colonization and imperialism cease, and for what global violence will it be held accountable? When has white women emulating black women ever, ever led to the destruction of white supremacy?

— kirsten west savali, The Root, "Al Sharpton Claims ‘White Male Supremacy’ Is ‘On Its Last Breath’ Because Harry Married Meghan, and I Need Him To Stop Talking," 20 May 2018
Will the school be held accountable for the bullying and harassment?

— kristin koch, Seventeen, "Here’s What Happens to Alex in “13 Reasons Why” Season 2," 18 May 2018
Please help hold Yale accountable and share our letter widely.

— refinery29.com, "Yale University Responds After Racist Dorm Incident," 11 May 2018
At some point, surely, China’s wealthier millions will demand a more open, accountable and even democratic government, just as middle classes in other countries have done.

— The Economist, "In China’s cities, young people with rural ties are angry," 3 May 2018
Members of the Harvard Black Law Students Association have since addressed the arrest on behalf of the Harvard Community in a statement posted to the University's website, demanding that the officers involved be held accountable for their actions.

— Essence.com, "The Harvard Community Responds To Viral Video Of Police Violently Assaulting Black Student During Arrest," 18 Apr. 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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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: 'B side'

Trending: DOJ Describes Comey as 'Insubordinate'

Name More Food!

9 Words for Transnational Currencies

Ghost Word