answer

1 of 2

noun

an·​swer ˈan(t)-sər 

1

a

: something spoken or written in reply to a question

His answer surprised us.

b

: a correct response

knows the answer

2

: a reply to a legal charge or suit : plea

also : defense

3

: something done in response or reaction

His only answer was to walk out.

4

: a solution of a problem

More money is not the answer.

5

: one that imitates, matches, or corresponds to another

The show is television's answer to the newsmagazines.

answer

2 of 2

verb

answered; answering ˈan(t)s-riŋ 

ˈan(t)-sə-

intransitive verb

1

: to speak or write in reply

think carefully before answering

2

a

: to be or make oneself responsible or accountable

answer for a debt

b

: to make amends : atone

He must answer for his crimes.

3

: to be in conformity or correspondence

She 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

The school had to answer for a town hall.

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

: to act in response to

answered the call to arms

5

: to offer a solution for

especially : solve

answer a riddle

6

obsolete : to atone for

answerer

ˈan(t)-sər-ər 

noun

Synonyms

Noun

• comeback
• rejoinder
• replication
• reply
• response
• retort
• return

Verb

• come back
• rejoin
• reply
• respond
• retort
• return
• riposte

Choose the Right Synonym for answer

answer, response, reply, rejoinder, retort mean something spoken, written, or done in return.

answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need.

had answers to all their questions

response may imply a quick or spontaneous reaction to a person or thing that serves as a stimulus.

a response to the call for recruits

reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised.

a point-by-point reply to the accusation

rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection.

a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument

retort implies a reaction to an implicit or explicit charge, criticism, or attack which contains a countercharge or counterattack.

she made a cutting retort to her critics

Examples of answer in a Sentence

Noun

I asked him a simple question and he gave me a long and confusing answer.

I didn't believe her answer.

They wouldn't give me a straight answer to my question.

I didn't know the right answer.

That is the wrong answer.

Do you know the answer to this question?

He knew the answers to only 3 of the 10 questions.

The answers are listed in the back of the book.

Verb

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

And as always, people solicit me to play on a record of theirs, and my first answer is often no. —Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 5 May 2025

The answer is revealed in the third act of the movie, when Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) announces the group’s name is the New Avengers. —Zack Sharf, Variety, 5 May 2025

Verb

The spokesperson did not immediately answer the AP's questions regarding the practicality and feasibility of reopening Alcatraz or the agency's role in the future of the former prison given the National Park Service's control of the island. —Lucia I Suarez Sang, CBS News, 4 May 2025

But his rebuke of Trump's policies answered one of Wall Street's biggest questions of this weekend: Would Buffett weigh in on the trade war and its massive disruptions? —Maria Aspan, NPR, 3 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Old English andswaru (akin to Old Norse andsvar answer); akin to Old English and- against, swerian to swear — more at ante-

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing answer

• answer back
• answer for (someone)
• answer for (something)
• answer (someone) back
• answer someone's prayers
• answer the door
• answer to all someone's prayers
• answer to a name
• answer to (someone)
• answer to (something)
• have a lot to answer for
• in answer
• not take no for an answer
• question and answer session

Rhymes for answer

• anser
• cancer
• dancer
• lancer
• anticancer
• necromancer
• enhancer
• merganser
• romancer

Kids Definition

answer

1 of 2 noun

an·​swer ˈan(t)-sər 

1

a

: something spoken or written in reply especially to a question

b

: a correct response

knew the answer

c

: a solution of a problem

2

: something said or done in response

answer

2 of 2 verb

answered; answering ˈan(t)s-(ə-)riŋ 

1

: to speak or write in reply

2

a

: to take responsibility for something

answered for the children's safety

b

: to make amends

must answer for their crime

3

: conform sense 2, correspond

answered to the description

4

: to be what is needed for : serve

answered the purpose

5

: to find a solution for

answer a riddle

answerer

ˈan(t)-sər-ər 

noun

Legal Definition

answer

1 of 2 noun

an·​swer

1

: the defendant's written response to the plaintiff's complaint in a civil suit in which he or she may deny any of the plaintiff's allegations, offer any defenses, and make any counterclaims against the plaintiff, cross-claims against other defendants, or third-party claims against third parties otherwise not involved in the lawsuit

2

: a written response to a counterclaim, cross-claim, or third-party claim : reply see also responsive pleading at pleading sense 1

Note: In federal cases, answers are governed by Rule 12 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Under Rule 12, certain defenses (as lack of jurisdiction) may be made by motion rather than included in the answer.

answer

2 of 2 intransitive verb

1

: to serve or file an answer

2

: to make oneself responsible or accountable (as for the debt of another)

transitive verb

1

: to reply to in an answer

answer the complaint

2

: to make a defense against (as a charge or accusation)

answerable adjective