Pronunciations (9)
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/ˈɑːn.sə/
Pronunciation notes
- UK
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/ˈa̝n.sə/
Pronunciation notes
- UK
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/ˈæn.sɚ/
Pronunciation notes
- Canada
- General-American
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[ˈeən.sɚ]
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/ˈæn.sə/
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[ˈeən.sə]
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/ˈæn.sə/
Pronunciation notes
- Australia
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[ˈeːnsə ~ ˈɛːnsə]
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[ˈɐːnsə]
Noun
A response or reply; something said or done in reaction to a statement or question.
- Examples
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I am waiting for an answer.
Her answer to his proposal was a slap in the face.
When a student types a complex question into a chatbot, they get a polished (though not necessarily authentic, accurate or nuanced) answer in seconds.
A solution to a problem.
- Examples
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We found the answer to the problem.
There is no simple answer to corruption.
Violence is not the answer to disagreements.
Someone or something that fills a similar role or position.
Usage- after a possessive
- with to
- Examples
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More examples (1)
Anti-pornography crusader Mary Whitehouse, who successfully brought London's Gay News to trial recently on charges of "blasphemy," is emerging as England's answer to Anita Bryant.
A document filed in response to a complaint, responding to each point raised in the complaint and raising counterpoints.
Verb
To make a reply or response to.
Usage- Transitive or intransitive
- Examples
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Please answer my question.
She answers him as if she knew his mind:
[…] there was no voice, nor any that answered.
More examples (2)
“Well,” I answered, at first with uncertainty, then with inspiration, “he would do splendidly to lead your cotillon, if you think of having one.” ¶ “So you do not dance, Mr. Crocker?” ¶ I was somewhat set back by her perspicuity.
He answered the question.
To speak in defence against; to reply to in defence.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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to answer a charge or accusation
To respond to a call by someone at a door or telephone, or other similar piece of equipment.
Usage- Transitive or intransitive
- Examples
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Could you answer the phone?
She answered the door.
Nobody answered when I knocked on the door.
To suit a need or purpose satisfactorily.
Usage- Transitive or intransitive
- Examples
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It answers the need.
More examples (4)
Mr. Knightley had done all in his power for Mr. Woodhouse’s entertainment. Books of engravings, drawers of medals, cameos, corals, shells, and every other family collection within his cabinets, had been prepared for his old friend, to while away the morning; and the kindness had perfectly answered.
Inexperienced girl as I was, I fired at the idea of becoming his dupe, and fancying, perhaps, that there was more in merely answering his note than it would have amounted to, I said — "That kind of thing may answer very well with button-makers, but ladies don't like it. […]
Of course for publication in a newspaper, my palaeotype would not answer, but my glossotype would enable the author to give his Pennsylvania German in an English form and much more intelligibly.
Theobald spoke as if watches had half-a-dozen purposes besides time-keeping, but he could hardly open his mouth without using one or other of his tags, and "answering every purpose" was one of them.
To be accountable or responsible; to make amends.
- Synonyms
- Examples
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The man must answer to his employer for the money entrusted to his care.
He has a lot to answer for.
More examples (1)
And pleaſe your Maiestie, let his Neck anſwere for it, if there is any Marſhall Law in the World.
To file a document in response to a complaint.
To correspond to; to be in harmony with; to be in agreement with.
- Examples
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1775, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The Duenna, Dublin: G. Burnet et al., 1794, Act II, Scene 2, p. 25, Egad, I wish she had answer’d her picture as well.
The use of dunder in the making of rum, answers the purpose of yeast in the fermentation of flour.
More examples (1)
Before I knew about sex, I knew that the word queer was an insult associated with skiny boys who couldn't throw a football, and since I answered this description, I took my share of abuse.
To be opposite, or to act in opposition.
- Examples
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The windows answering each other, we could just discern the glowing horizon through them […]
To be or act in conformity, or by way of accommodation, correspondence, relation, or proportion; to conform; to correspond; to suit; usually with to.
- Examples
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[…] that the time may haue all ſhadow, and ſilence in it: and the place anſwere to conuenience
If this but answer to my just belief, / I’ll well remember you.
More examples (2)
As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.
[…] I might carry about me several Weapons, which must needs be dangerous things, if they answered the Bulk of so prodigious a Person.
To respond to satisfactorily; to meet successfully by way of explanation, argument, or justification; to refute.
- Examples
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[…] no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.
These shifts refuted, answer thy appellant / Though by his blindness maim’d for high attempts, / Who now defies thee thrice to single fight,
More examples (1)
The reasoning was not and could not be answered.
To be or act in compliance with, in fulfillment or satisfaction of, as an order, obligation, or demand.
- Examples
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He answered my claim upon him.
The servant answered the bell.
More examples (2)
[…] this proud king […] studies day and night / To answer all the debts he owes unto you
The faster a ship sails, the better she will answer her helm; if she sail very slow, she will scarce steer at all. If she heel much, she won't answer the helm so well.
To render account to or for.
Usage- Obsolete
- Examples
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[…] I will, by to-morrow dinner-time, / Send him to answer thee, or any man, / For any thing he shall be charged withal:
To atone for; to be punished for.
Usage- Obsolete
- Examples
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[…] The noble Brutus / Hath told you Caesar was ambitious: / If it were so, it was a grievous fault, / And grievously hath Caesar answer’d it.
To be or act as an equivalent to, or as adequate or sufficient for; to serve for; to repay.
Usage- Obsolete
- Examples
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A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.
Noun
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
- Broader terms
- Examples
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I waited several days for his answer
he wrote replies to several of his critics
a statement that solves a problem or explains how to solve the problem
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
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they were trying to find a peaceful solution
the answers were in the back of the book
More examples (1)
he computed the result to four decimal places
the speech act of replying to a question
- Antonyms
the principal pleading by the defendant in response to plaintiff's complaint; in criminal law it consists of the defendant's plea of ‘guilty’ or ‘not guilty’ (or nolo contendere); in civil law it must contain denials of all allegations in the plaintiff's complaint that the defendant hopes to controvert and it can contain affirmative defenses or counterclaims
- Broader terms
a nonverbal reaction
- Examples
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his answer to any problem was to get drunk
their answer was to sue me
Verb
react verbally
- Examples
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She didn't want to answer
answer the question
More examples (1)
We answered that we would accept the invitation
respond to a signal
- Examples
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answer the door
answer the telephone
give the correct answer or solution to
- Broader terms
- Examples
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answer a question
answer the riddle
understand the meaning of
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
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The question concerning the meaning of life cannot be answered
give a defence or refutation of (a charge) or in (an argument)
- Examples
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The defendant answered to all the charges of the prosecution
be liable or accountable
- Examples
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She must answer for her actions
be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity
- Broader terms
- Examples
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A few words would answer
This car suits my purpose well
More examples (3)
Will $100 do?
A ‘B’ grade doesn't suffice to get me into medical school
Nothing else will serve
match or correspond
- Examples
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The drawing of the suspect answers to the description the victim gave
be satisfactory for; meet the requirements of or serve the purpose of
- Examples
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This may answer her needs
react to a stimulus or command
- Examples
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The steering of my new car answers to the slightest touch