Responsible — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ri-ˈspän(t)-sə-bəl/ re·spon·si·ble

Meaning & Definition of Responsible

Responsible (adjective)

  1. liable to be called on to answer
  2. liable to be called to account as the primary cause, motive, or agent, being worthy of credit or blame
  3. being the cause or explanation

Responsible (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. being the one who must meet an obligation or suffer the consequences for failing to do so

    "the state laws hold pet owners responsible for any damage or injury done by improperly restrained animals"

    similar: accountable, amenable, answerable, liable
    related: beholden, indebted, obligated, obliged
    opposite: irresponsible, nonaccountable, unaccountable
    near: exempt, immune

  2. worthy of one's trust

    "our regular babysitter is very responsible"

    similar: calculable, dependable, good, reliable, safe, secure, solid, steady, sure, tried, tried-and-true, true, trustable, trustworthy, trusty
    related: constant, devoted, faithful, fast, loyal, staunch, steadfast, true-blue, honest, sincere, single-minded, infallible, unerring, bedrock, firm, sound, strong, effective, telling, attested, authenticated, confirmed, proven, valid, validated, verified, blameless, faultless, guiltless, impeccable, inerrant, irreproachable, unimpeachable, unquestionable
    opposite: dodgy (chiefly British), uncertain, undependable, unreliable, unsafe, untrustworthy
    near: disloyal, faithless, false, fickle, inconstant, perfidious, recreant, traitorous, treacherous, unfaithful, untrue, deceitful, dishonest, lying, mendacious, untruthful, debatable, disputable, doubtable, doubtful, dubious, fishy, problematic, questionable, shady, shaky, suspect, uncertain, unsound, hazardous, risky, unconfirmed, untried

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Responsible

The most common words with a similar meaning to Responsible:

accountable, amenable, answerable, liable, calculable, dependable, good, reliable, safe, secure, solid, steady, sure, tried, tried-and-true, true, trustable, trustworthy, trusty

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Responsible

Words with the opposite meaning of Responsible:

irresponsible, nonaccountable, unaccountable, dodgy, uncertain, undependable, unreliable, unsafe, untrustworthy

Related Words for Responsible

beholden, indebted, obligated, obliged, constant, devoted, faithful, fast, loyal, staunch, steadfast, true-blue, honest, sincere, single-minded, infallible, unerring, bedrock, firm, sound, strong, effective, telling, attested, authenticated, confirmed, proven, valid, validated, verified

Near Antonyms of Responsible

exempt, immune, disloyal, faithless, false, fickle, inconstant, perfidious, recreant, traitorous, treacherous, unfaithful, untrue, deceitful, dishonest, lying, mendacious, untruthful, debatable, disputable, doubtable, doubtful, dubious, fishy, problematic, questionable, shady, shaky, suspect, unsound

Word Forms of Responsible

Derived words: responsibleness (noun), responsibly (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Responsible

Anglo-French responsable, from respuns see response

First known use: 1643

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Responsible

Words & Phrases Containing Responsible

hold (someone) responsible

Frequently Asked Questions about Responsible

What does "Responsible" mean?

"Responsible" means liable to be called on to answer. As an adjective, it is defined as: liable to be called on to answer. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Responsible"?

Other words for "Responsible" include accountable, amenable, answerable, liable, calculable, dependable, good and reliable. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Responsible" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Responsible"?

There are 57 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Responsible". Common alternatives include accountable, amenable, answerable, liable, calculable, dependable, good, reliable, safe and secure.

What is the opposite of "Responsible"?

Antonyms of "Responsible" include irresponsible, nonaccountable, unaccountable, dodgy, uncertain, undependable, unreliable and unsafe. Near antonyms include exempt, immune, disloyal and faithless.

How do you use "Responsible" in a sentence?

Examples of "Responsible" in a sentence: "the state laws hold pet owners responsible for any damage or injury done by improperly restrained animals"; "our regular babysitter is very responsible".

Is "Responsible" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Responsible" is an adjective.

Is "Responsible" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Responsible" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.

How do you pronounce "Responsible"?

"Responsible" is pronounced /ri-ˈspän(t)-sə-bəl/ and divided into syllables as re·spon·si·ble.