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answer to a name

idiom

: to respond when called by a certain name
This dog answers to the name (of) "Rover."
My uncle's real name is "Edwin," but he doesn't answer to that name. He prefers to be called "Ed."

Cite this Entry

“Answer to a name.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/answer%20to%20a%20name. Accessed 27 Nov. 2025.

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