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.

See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

As the search for answers continues, here are the symptoms to watch for and tips for protecting your dog from illness, especially during the busy holiday season. —Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 22 Nov. 2023

In the letter, the senators asked for immediate answers regarding why Black was reassigned from his role, and whether the findings outlined in the study influenced the decision to transition him to become a senior adviser within the department. —Nancy Vu, Washington Examiner, 21 Nov. 2023

No one really knows the answers to those questions, and, as a result, some of the most qualified people in the world are fighting among themselves. —Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2023

Your answer will affect which features to look out for. —Jessica MacDonald, Travel + Leisure, 21 Nov. 2023

For answers on how to use the Insticator commenting platform, please visit Insticator’s dedicated Help Center. —Andrea Picciotti-Bayer, National Review, 19 Nov. 2023

And if the answer to that is yes, then millions are wondering what to eat for breakfast. —Hannah Coates, Glamour, 10 Nov. 2023

And fans who tuned in to his sit-down with Long and hoped for more clarity walked away with no new answers. —Jonah Valdez, Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2023

As to what exactly Thompson’s doctorate was in, that was a question to which the answer varied, depending on the situation. —Rory Feehan, SPIN, 9 Nov. 2023

Verb

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba has blamed a communication failure and expressed regret, but the city has declined to answer detailed questions. —Jon Schuppe, NBC News, 23 Nov. 2023

Former official says Long Beach hospital ‘dismissed’ plea for barrier to prevent deaths Sept. 3, 2023 Neither an Anaheim city spokesperson nor other city officials answered questions from The Times about whether the city had suggested that Disneyland install barriers following last week’s incident. —Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2023

In the five days before the holiday, Mr. Ramaswamy, 38, hosted over two dozen events, many offering free breakfast, lunch or dinner, eager to answer voter questions. —Anjali Huynh, New York Times, 22 Nov. 2023

Lucky for all of us, these Black Friday perfume deals have answered a handful of prayers. —Sarah Hoffmann, Allure, 22 Nov. 2023

At this month’s Monster-Mania Con, the actress, 50, answered fan questions about starring in the first five Scream movies as Sidney Prescott. —Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 21 Nov. 2023

Head-to-toe metallic outfits that promise to answer every single party season dress code, and even give the disco ball a run for its money. —Georgia Trodd, Glamour, 10 Nov. 2023

Roll a letter die, start the timer, and answer that round's list of categories with words that start with the letter. —WIRED, 10 Nov. 2023

The conversation started when Rapinoe asked Krieger what the date of her final game with Gotham would be, and Krieger answered with the NWSL's Nov. 11 championship date. —Natasha Dye, Peoplemag, 10 Nov. 2023

See More

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

See More

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

See More

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