Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense answers, present participle answering, past tense, past participle answered
1. verb
When you answer someone who has asked you something, you say something back to them.
I knew Ben was lying when he answered me. [VERB noun]
Just answer the question. [VERB noun]
He paused before answering. [VERB]
'When?' asked Alba, 'Tonight', answered Tom. [VERB with quote]
Williams answered that he had no specific proposals yet. [VERB that]
Synonyms: reply, explain, respond, resolve More Synonyms of answer
2. countable noun [oft inNto n]
An answer is something that you say when you answer someone.
Without waiting for an answer, he turned and went in through the door.
I don't quite know what to say in answer to your question.
Synonyms: reply, response, reaction, resolution More Synonyms of answer
3.
See not to take no for an answer
4. verb
If you answer a letter or advertisement, you write to the person who wrote it.
Did he answer your letter? [VERB noun]
She answered an advert for a job as a cook. [VERB noun]
[Also VERB]
Synonyms: acknowledge, respond to, react to, reply to More Synonyms of answer
5. countable noun [oft inNto n]
An answer is a letter that you write to someone who has written to you.
I wrote to him but I never had an answer back.
She wrote to his secretary in answer to his letter of the day before.
6. verb
When you answer the telephone, you pick it up when it rings. When you answer the door, you open it when you hear a knock or the bell.
She answered her phone on the first ring. [VERB noun]
A middle-aged woman answered the door. [VERB noun]
[Also VERB]
Synonyms: pick up, get, respond to More Synonyms of answer
Answer is also a noun.
I knocked at the front door and there was no answer.
7. countable noun
An answerto a problem is a solution to it.
There are no easy answers to the problems facing the economy. [+ to]
Prison is not the answer for most young offenders.
Legislation is only part of the answer.
Synonyms: remedy, solution, vindication More Synonyms of answer
8. countable noun
Someone's answer to a question in a test or quiz is what they write or say in an attempt to give the facts that are asked for. The answer to a question is the fact that was asked for.
Simply marking an answer wrong will not help the pupil to get future examples correct.
Below are printed the answers to the Brain of Soccer quiz.
[Also + to]
Synonyms: solution, resolution, explanation More Synonyms of answer
9. verb
When you answer a question in a test or quiz, you write or say something in an attempt to give thefacts that are asked for.
To obtain her degree, she answered 81 questions over 10 papers. [VERB noun]
10. countable noun [oft inNto n]
Your answerto something that someone has said or done is what you say or do in response to it or in defence of yourself.
In answer to speculation that she wouldn't finish the race, she boldly declared herintention of winning it.
Synonyms: defence, response, reply, rebuttal More Synonyms of answer
11. verb
If you answer something that someone has said or done, you respond to it.
He answered her smile with one of his own. [VERB noun + with]
That statement seemed designed to answer criticism of allied bombing missions. [VERB noun]
[Also V n + by]
12. singular noun [poss Nto n]
If you say that something is a place's answerto a famous thing, you mean that the first thing is the equivalent of the second in that place.
[journalism]
Cachaca is Brazil's answer to tequila.
13. verb
If something answers a need or purpose, it satisfies it, because it has the right qualities.
We provide specially designed shopping trolleys to answer the needs of parents withyoung children. [VERB noun]
14. verb
If someone or something answers a particular description or answers to it, they have the characteristics described.
Two men answering the description of the suspects tried to enter Switzerland. [VERB noun]
The Japanese never built any aircraft remotely answering to this description. [VERB + to]
Synonyms: fit, meet, match, agree to More Synonyms of answer
Phrasal verbs:
See answer back
See answer for
More Synonyms of answer
answer in British English
(ˈɑːnsə)
noun
1.
a reply, either spoken or written, as to a question, request, letter, or article
2.
a reaction or response in the form of an action
drunkenness was his answer to disappointment
3.
a solution, esp of a mathematical problem
4. law
a.
a party's written reply to his or her opponent's interrogatories
b.
(in divorce law) the respondent's written reply to the petition
5.
a musical phrase that follows the subject of a fugue, reproducing it a fifth higher or a fourth lower
verb
6. (when tr, may take a clause as object)
to reply or respond (to) by word or act
to answer a question
he answered
to answer the door
she answered that she would come
7. (transitive)
to reply correctly to; solve or attempt to solve
I could answer only three questions
8. (intransitive; usually foll byto)
to respond or react (to a stimulus, command, etc)
the steering answers to the slightest touch
9. (transitive)
to pay off (a debt, obligation, etc); discharge
10. (when intr, often foll by for)
to meet the requirements (of); be satisfactory (for); serve the purpose (of)
this will answer her needs
this will answer for a chisel
11. (when intr, often foll by to)
to match or correspond (esp in the phrase answer (or answer to) the description)
12. (transitive)
to give a defence or refutation of (a charge) or in (an argument)
Word origin
Old English andswaru an answer; related to Old Frisian ondser, Old Norse andsvar; see swear
answer in American English
(ˈænsər; ˈɑnsər)
noun
1.
something said or written in return to a question, argument, letter, etc.
2.
any act in response or retaliation
his answer was a well-aimed blow
3.
one that is a counterpart or equivalent of another, often as the result of imitation
Japan's answer to Sherlock Holmes
4.
a solution to a problem
5. Law
a written pleading by which the defendant replies to the plaintiff's charges; defense
6. Music
in a fugue, the second or fourth restatement of the subject in another voice and transposed to another key, usually at the interval of a fourth or fifth
verb intransitive
7.
to reply in words, by an action, etc.
8.
to react to a stimulus; respond (to)
the horse answered to its rider's touch
9.
to serve the purpose; be sufficient
10.
to be responsible or liable (to a person for an action, accusation, etc.)
11.
to be in conformity; correspond (to)
he answers to the description
verb transitive
12.
a.
to reply to in words, by an action, etc.
b.
to say or write in reply
13.
to respond to the signal of (a telephone, doorbell, etc.)
14.
to fulfill satisfactorily; comply with; be sufficient for; serve
the makeshift tent answered their purpose
15.
to defend oneself against (an accusation, criticism, etc.); refute
16.
to agree with; conform to; suit
he answers the description
17. Obsolete
to atone for
Idioms:
answer back
SYNONYMY NOTE: answer implies a saying, writing, or acting in return, as required by the situation or bycourtesy [to answer a letter, the phone, etc.]; respond implies an appropriate reaction made voluntarily or spontaneously to that which servesas a stimulus [to respond to an appeal]; reply in its strictest application refers to an answer that satisfies in detail the questionasked; , retort1 suggests a reply, esp. one that is sharp or witty, provoked by a charge or criticism;, rejoin1 implies an answer, originally to a reply, now often to an objection
OPPOSITES: question, ask, inquire
Word origin
ME andsware < OE andswaru < and-, against + swerian, swear
More idioms containing
answer
not take no for an answer
Examples of 'answer' in a sentence
answer
By the end of next month he should get an answer.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The answer to both questions is very.
The Sun (2017)
The short answer is that things have got worse.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They need to learn how to problems and find answers drawing their own resources.
The Sun (2017)
His chart position means that he is now also likely to be the answer to pub quiz questions.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Our experts cannot be held liable for any advice given here as answers to queries can only be given in general terms.
The Sun (2016)
That's not to say her answer is not dreadful.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
To enter by post, fill in the below coupon or write your answer and contact details on a postcard and send to the address below.
The Sun (2016)
I think we already know the answer to the second question, don't we?
The Sun (2016)
Then the doorbell rang and he answered the door.
The Sun (2015)
But the present case did not answer that description.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
What sort of evidence do you need to get an answer?
Porush, David A Short Guide to Writing About Science (1995)
What do politicians think will happen when they refuse to give a straight answer?
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
There were many questions to be answered.
Christianity Today (2000)
What would you like me to say in answer to that question?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Answer our fun quiz and find out.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
You knew he had the answer to most things.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
To me the answer to the second question depends on the first.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
There is something of an answer in the team of today.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
To attempt any answer to this question requires an examination into the relation between society and theory.
Henry, John F The Making of Neoclassical Economics (1990)
Write your final answer in the last box of the line.
The Sun (2013)
We are still trying to answer my first question.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Getting an answer from him was like trying to get blood from a stone.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
If the businesses lost money the answer was to give them more subsidy.
Redwood, John The Global Marketplace (1993)
The temptation to use that data to answer almost any question about consumption is overwhelming.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Suffice to say that he answered as an opening batsman rather than a neutral.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Take our quiz, with answers below.
The Sun (2013)
Today the world answered back.
The Sun (2008)
I answer many letters from upset owners with all sorts of problems and the majority of them can be sorted out humanely and quickly.
Standen, Chris Superdog! Action plans that work for a happy and well-behaved pet (1990)
To enter by post, fill in the below coupon or write your answer and contact detailson a postcard and send to the address below.
The Sun (2015)
Remember, if you want a detailed answer, write to me or email me.
The Sun (2011)
After a tip-off, police went to an apartment where a woman fitting her description answered the door.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
In other languages
answer
British English: answer /ˈɑːnsə/ NOUN
An answer is something that you say or write when you answer someone.
I wrote to him but I never had an answer back.
American English: answer
Arabic: إجَابَة
Brazilian Portuguese: resposta
Chinese: 答案
Croatian: odgovor
Czech: odpověď
Danish: svar
Dutch: antwoord
European Spanish: respuesta solución
Finnish: vastaus
French: réponse
German: Antwort
Greek: απάντηση
Italian: risposta
Japanese: 答え
Korean: 대답
Norwegian: svar
Polish: odpowiedź
European Portuguese: resposta
Romanian: răspuns
Russian: ответ
Latin American Spanish: respuesta contestación
Swedish: svar
Thai: คำตอบ
Turkish: yanıt
Ukrainian: відповідь
Vietnamese: câu trả lời
British English: answer /ˈɑːnsə/ VERB
When you answer someone who has asked you something, you say something back to them.
Just answer the question.
He paused before answering.
American English: answer
Arabic: يُجيب
Brazilian Portuguese: responder
Chinese: 回答
Croatian: odgovoriti
Czech: odpovědět
Danish: svare
Dutch: antwoorden
European Spanish: contestar
Finnish: vastata
French: répondre
German: antworten
Greek: απαντώ
Italian: rispondere
Japanese: 答える
Korean: 대답하다
Norwegian: svare
Polish: odpowiedzieć
European Portuguese: responder
Romanian: a răspunde
Russian: отвечать
Latin American Spanish: contestar
Swedish: svara
Thai: ตอบ
Turkish: yanıt vermek
Ukrainian: відповідати
Vietnamese: trả lời
All related terms of 'answer'
re-answer
to answer (a question , etc) again
answer back
If someone, especially a child , answers back , they speak rudely to you when you speak to them.
answer for
If you have to answer for something bad or wrong you have done, you are punished for it.
answer machine
telecommunications → another name for answering machine
a dusty answer
an unhelpful or bad-tempered reply
answer allegations
An allegation is a statement saying that someone has done something wrong .
answer criticism
Criticism is the action of expressing disapproval of something or someone. A criticism is a statement that expresses disapproval.
answer a letter
If you write a letter to someone, you write a message on paper and send it to them, usually by post.
answer-back code
a unique code that identifies the telex machine to which a message is sent
answer the door
When you answer the door , you go and open the door because a visitor has knocked on it or rung the bell .
Ansaphone
a device by means of which a telephone call is answered automatically and the caller enabled to leave a recorded message
answering machine
An answering machine is the same as an → answerphone .
telephone answering machine
a device by means of which a telephone call is answered automatically and the caller enabled to leave a recorded message
not take no for an answer
to continue trying to make someone agree to something, despite their refusals
not to take no for an answer
If you say that someone will not take no for an answer , you mean that they go on trying to make you agree to something even after you have refused .
Chinese translation of 'answer'
answer
(ˈɑːnsəʳ)
n(c)
(= reply)
(to question) 回答 (huídá) (个(個), gè)
(to letter) 回信 (huíxìn) (封, fēng)
(= solution) (to problem, in exam or quiz) 答案 (dá'àn) (个(個), gè)
vi
(= reply)
(to question) 回答 (huídá)
(to telephone ringing, knock at door) 应(應)答 (yìngdá)
vt
(= reply to)
[person]答复(復) (dáfù)
[question] (asked by person, in exam or quiz) 回答 (huídá)
[letter]回复(復) (huífù)
[advertisement, prayers]回应(應) (huíyìng)
⇒ She answered an advert for a job as a cook.她应聘了厨师的招聘广告。 (Tā yìngpìnle chúshī de zhāopìn guǎnggào.)
(= satisfy)[need]满(滿)足 (mǎnzú)
=answer to
there was no answer (on telephone) 无(無)人接听(聽) (wú rén jiētīng) (at door) 无(無)人应(應)答 (wú rén yìngdá)
in answer to ... 回应(應) ... (huíyìng ... )
to answer the phone接听(聽)电(電)话(話) (jiētīng diànhuà)
to answer the door应(應)声(聲)开(開)门(門) (yìngshēng kāimén)
All related terms of 'answer'
answer to
( description ) 符合 fúhé ⇒ A man answering to his description was seen in Glasgow. → 一个和他的描述相符的男人出现在格拉斯哥。 Yī gè hé tā de miáoshù xiāngfú de nánrén chūxiàn zài Gélāsīgē.
answer back
顶(頂)嘴 dǐngzuǐ
answer for
( crimes, actions ) 承受 ... 的后(後)果 chéngshòu ... de hòuguǒ ⇒ One of these days you will answer for your crimes. → 总有一天你要为你的罪责承担后果。 Zǒng yǒu yī tiān nǐ yào wèi nǐ de zuìzé chéngdān hòuguǒ.
in answer to ...
回应(應) ... huíyìng ...
there was no answer
( on telephone ) 无(無)人接听(聽) wú rén jiētīng
to answer the door
应(應)门(門) yìngmén
to answer the phone
接听(聽)电(電)话(話) jiētīng diànhuà
to answer in the negative
作否定的回答 zuò fǒudìng de huídá
to press sb for an answer
催某人回答 cuī mǒurén huídá
did you get the answer right?
你的答案正确(確)吗(嗎)？ nǐ de dá'àn zhèngquè ma?
I won't take no for an answer
我不会(會)接受否定的答复(復) wǒ bù huì jiēshòu fǒudìng de dáfù
1 (verb)
Definition
to reply or respond (to) by word or act
He paused before answering.
Synonyms
reply
He replied that this was absolutely impossible.
explain
respond
‘Of course,’ she responded scornfully.
resolve
We must find a way to resolve these problems.
acknowledge
react
return
retort
`Who do you think you're talking to?' she retorted.
rejoin
`I dare say they do,' rejoined his father wearily.
refute
Opposites
ask
,
question
,
query
,
inquire
,
interrogate
2 (verb)
Did he answer your enquiry?
Synonyms
acknowledge
They sent me a text acknowledging my request.
respond to
react to
reply to
write back to
3 (verb)
She answered her phone on the first ring.
Synonyms
pick up
get
The problem was how to get enough food.
respond to
4 (verb)
Definition
to meet the requirements of
We must ensure we answer real needs.
Synonyms
satisfy
The procedures should satisfy certain basic requirements.
meet
The current arrangements are inadequate to meet our needs.
serve
This little book should serve.
fit
fill
They filled themselves with chocolate cake.
suit
They will only release information if it suits them.
solve
Their domestic reforms did nothing to solve unemployment.
fulfil
All the necessary conditions were fulfilled.
suffice
A far shorter letter will suffice.
measure up to
5 (verb)
two men answering the description of the suspects
Synonyms
fit
She doesn't fit the description of the suspect.
meet
match
We want to match each other's outfits.
agree to
conform to
correspond to
correlate to
6 (verb)
Definition
to give a defence of (a charge)
He will appear in court to answer charges of trying to hide money.
Synonyms
defend yourself against
refute
It was the kind of rumour that is impossible to refute.
rebut
She spent most of the speech rebutting criticisms.
1 (noun)
Definition
a reaction or response
Without waiting for an answer, he turned and went in.
Synonyms
reply
response
reaction
He showed no reaction when the judge pronounced his sentence.
resolution
explanation
plea
comeback
I tried to think of a witty comeback.
retort
His sharp retort made an impact.
report
return
defence
acknowledgement
riposte
He glanced at her, expecting a cheeky riposte.
counterattack
refutation
rejoinder
He felt it was an inadequate rejoinder.
Opposites
question
,
inquiry
,
query
,
interrogation
2 (noun)
Definition
a solution to a problem
Simply marking an answer wrong will not help the student.
Synonyms
solution
the ability to sort out effective solutions to practical problems
resolution
a peaceful resolution to the crisis
explanation
The president has given no explanation for his behaviour.
3 (noun)
They argue that prison is not the answer for minor offences.
Synonyms
remedy
a remedy for economic ills
solution
vindication
4 (noun)
In answer to the speculation, she boldly declared her intention.
Synonyms
defence
His defence was that records were fabricated by the police.
response
There has been no response to his remarks.
reply
They went ahead without waiting for a reply.
rebuttal
counter-statement
Phrasal verbs
See answer for something
See answer to someone
Additional synonyms
in the sense of comeback
Definition
a response or retaliation
I tried to think of a witty comeback.
Synonyms
response,
reply,
retort,
retaliation,
riposte,
rejoinder
in the sense of explanation
Definition
the reason or reasons why a particular event or situation happened
The president has given no explanation for his behaviour.