answer

1 of 2

noun

an·​swer ˈan(t)-sər How to pronounce answer (audio)
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 How to pronounce answer (audio)
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 noun
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
Here are their answers, ranging from rich terra cotta to peppy pistachio. Kathryn O'Shea Evans, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024 The Enquirer's Just Askin' series aims to answer the questions that no one seems to have an answer for, not even Google. The Enquirer, 14 Mar. 2024 The answer to the driving question of where Joy has gone ultimately doesn’t live up to the season that precedes it, ending the show on an abrupt and anticlimactic note. Alison Herman, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024 The answer to the puzzle has been released on the new GCHQ LinkedIn page. Jack Guy, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024 Congress wants answers Return of the crypto titans Last week, on the afternoon before election day, a group called Stand With Crypto hosted a get-out-the-vote rally for crypto owners in Los Angeles. Laurel Rosenhall, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024 After two games, the answer is H-E-double hockey sticks no. Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 13 Mar. 2024 Fortunately, a gentleman standing directly in front of the couple had the answer. Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Mar. 2024 Here are answers to key questions around Listecki's retirement. Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2024
Verb
Questions and comments will be moderated, read, and answered as time allows. Meghan Leahy, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024 In her closing argument, Morrissey told jurors in the Gutierrez case that Baldwin also must answer for his actions. Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2024 In a news conference held just hours after the shooting, Waukesha County Sheriff Eric Severson answered some, though not all, questions about the circumstances that led up to the shooting. Jim Riccioli, Journal Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2024 He was supposed to answer more questions but failed to show up. Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 13 Mar. 2024 Over the course of two hours, community members answered questions related to gun violence and listened to experts in violence prevention on ways to proactively approach the issue. Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 3 Mar. 2024 After Arkansas answered with Ellis' team-leading sixth homer, the Jackrabbits struck again on Jocelyn Carrillo's solo homer in the second. Chip Souza, arkansasonline.com, 1 Mar. 2024 Those who answered positively on their personal finances emphasized higher incomes. Bill Conerly, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 On Friday, Arredondo and Chambers stood in front of a judge, each wearing jail jumpsuits, and answered for their roles in little Kaliyah's death. Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'answer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of answer was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near answer

Cite this Entry

“Answer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/answer. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

answer

1 of 2 noun
an·​swer ˈan(t)-sər How to pronounce answer (audio)
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 How to pronounce answer (audio)
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 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

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