If you have responsibility for something or someone, or if they are your responsibility, it is your job or duty to deal with them and to take decisions relating to them.
Each manager had responsibility for just under 600 properties. [+ for]
We need to take responsibility for looking after our own health.
'She's not your responsibility,' he said gently.
2. uncountable noun
If you accept responsibilityfor something that has happened, you agree that you were to blame for it or you caused it.
No one admitted responsibility for the attacks. [+ for]
Someone had to give orders and take responsibility for mistakes.
3. plural noun
Your responsibilities are the duties that you have because of your job or position.
He handled his responsibilities as a counselor in an intelligent and caring fashion.
...programmes to help employees balance work and family responsibilities.
Synonyms: obligation, duty, liability, charge More Synonyms of responsibility
4. uncountable noun
If someone is given responsibility, they are given the right or opportunity to make important decisions or to take action without having to get permission from anyone else.
She would have loved to have a better-paying job with more responsibility.
Carrington held a position of responsibility within the government.
Synonyms: authority, power, control, management More Synonyms of responsibility
5. singular noun [usually NOUN to-infinitive]
If you think that you have a responsibilityto do something, you feel that you ought to do it because it is morally right to do it.
The court feels it has a responsibility to ensure that customers are not misled.
As parents we have a responsibility to give our children a sense of belonging.
6. singular noun
If you think that you have a responsibility to someone, you feel that it is your duty to take action that will protect their interests.
She had decided that as a doctor she had a responsibility to her fellow creatures. [+ to/towards]
More Synonyms of responsibility
responsibility in British English
(rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪlɪtɪ)
nounWord forms: plural-ties
1.
the state or position of being responsible
2.
a person or thing for which one is responsible
3.
the ability or authority to act or decide on one's own, without supervision
responsibility in American English
(rɪˌspɑnsəˈbɪləti)
nounWord forms: pluralreˌsponsiˈbilities
1.
condition, quality, fact, or instance of being responsible; obligation, accountability, dependability, etc.
2.
a thing or person that one is responsible for
COBUILD Collocations
responsibility
accept responsibility
added responsibility
additional responsibility
admit responsibility
assume responsibility
bear responsibility
carry responsibility
claim responsibility
collective responsibility
deny responsibility
extra responsibility
feel a responsibility
fiscal responsibility
full responsibility
hand over responsibility
heavy responsibility
individual responsibility
leadership responsibility
legal responsibility
managerial responsibility
moral responsibility
more responsibility
parental responsibility
place responsibility on
primary responsibility
responsibilities included
share the responsibility
shift responsibility
shoulder responsibility
sole responsibility
statutory responsibility
take responsibility
transfer responsibility
Examples of 'responsibility' in a sentence
responsibility
You can work out a way of sharing a family responsibility.
The Sun (2017)
He gives responsibility to players and he listens.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This could give you extra responsibility at work.
The Sun (2016)
Taking responsibility for romance helps you focus on what you want in a lover.
The Sun (2017)
We have accepted full responsibility for this incident.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It is unrealistic to expect the young and naive to feel more responsibility for public expenditure than government does.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They would learn about personal responsibility, duty and mindset.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They are looking to make up some of this reduction by each taking a small income from their mother for their new caring responsibilities.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But it's the determined way you deal with the responsibilities of being in a relationship that can strengthen the love bond.
The Sun (2017)
Although the warranty lasts for ten years, the builder's responsibility to put right faults ends after two.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Where is your duty of responsibility in this?
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
This is our responsibility as caring adults.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
We try to make sure somebody takes responsibility for each family.
Christianity Today (2000)
They must accept their responsibility to work with schools.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
With this organisational autonomy comes a great deal of individual responsibility.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Doctors must take responsibility for diagnosing this before offering surgery.
The Sun (2013)
You feel this responsibility to make this great record.
The Sun (2015)
We do not accept responsibility for tokens that are lost or delayed in the post.
The Sun (2016)
To put all that responsibility on one woman is outrageous.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Responsibility involves accepting blame for collective failure as well as credit for success.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Tell her marriage is out of the question until she holds down a job and takes responsibility.
The Sun (2012)
Where are the lawyers insisting that with rights comes human responsibilities?
The Sun (2012)
The responsibility of bringing something like this home was overwhelming.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Why do we always make excuses rather than demanding that people should take responsibility for their actions.
The Sun (2008)
We all need to take responsibility for that.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There is a collective responsibility and duty of care that extends beyond what happens on the pitch.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
She may have caring responsibilities and you may be able to work together to sort these.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This could range from more time for yourself to a wise way of sharing family responsibilities.
The Sun (2016)
The players who are not as gifted maybe feel responsibility to work.
The Sun (2013)
Maybe the responsibility will help him curb his more aggressive tendencies.
The Sun (2015)
Schools must be given the responsibility to deal with this fairly and quickly.
The Sun (2012)
Doctors have more responsibility and autonomy than nurses, so why should this not apply to them?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Quotations
Uneasy lies the head that wears a crownWilliam ShakespeareHenry IV, part II
The buck stops hereHarry S. Trumanmotto on his desk at the White House
In other languages
responsibility
British English: responsibility /rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪlɪtɪ/ NOUN
If you have responsibility for something or someone, it is your job or duty to deal with them.
He has responsibility for five employees.
American English: responsibility
Arabic: مَسْؤُولِيَّة
Brazilian Portuguese: responsabilidade
Chinese: 责任
Croatian: odgovornost
Czech: odpovědnost
Danish: ansvar
Dutch: verantwoordelijkheid
European Spanish: responsabilidad
Finnish: vastuu
French: responsabilité
German: Verantwortung
Greek: ευθύνη
Italian: responsabilità
Japanese: 責任
Korean: 책임
Norwegian: ansvar
Polish: odpowiedzialność
European Portuguese: responsabilidade
Romanian: responsabilitate
Russian: ответственность
Latin American Spanish: responsabilidad
Swedish: ansvar
Thai: ความรับผิดชอบ
Turkish: sorumluluk
Ukrainian: відповідальність
Vietnamese: trách nhiệm
All related terms of 'responsibility'
accept responsibility
If you accept responsibility for something that has happened , you agree that you were to blame for it or you caused it.
added responsibility
If someone is given responsibility , they are given the right or opportunity to make important decisions or to take action without having to get permission from anyone else.
admit responsibility
If you accept responsibility for something that has happened , you agree that you were to blame for it or you caused it.
assume responsibility
If you have responsibility for something or someone, or if they are your responsibility , it is your job or duty to deal with them and to take decisions relating to them.
bear responsibility
If you accept responsibility for something that has happened , you agree that you were to blame for it or you caused it.
carry responsibility
If you have responsibility for something or someone, or if they are your responsibility , it is your job or duty to deal with them and to take decisions relating to them.
claim responsibility
If you accept responsibility for something that has happened , you agree that you were to blame for it or you caused it.
deny responsibility
If you accept responsibility for something that has happened , you agree that you were to blame for it or you caused it.
extra responsibility
Your responsibilities are the duties that you have because of your job or position.
fiscal responsibility
If you have responsibility for something or someone, or if they are your responsibility , it is your job or duty to deal with them and to take decisions relating to them.
full responsibility
If you accept responsibility for something that has happened , you agree that you were to blame for it or you caused it.
heavy responsibility
Your responsibilities are the duties that you have because of your job or position.
legal responsibility
If you have responsibility for something or someone, or if they are your responsibility , it is your job or duty to deal with them and to take decisions relating to them.
moral responsibility
If you think that you have a responsibility to do something, you feel that you ought to do it because it is morally right to do it.
more responsibility
If someone is given responsibility , they are given the right or opportunity to make important decisions or to take action without having to get permission from anyone else.
primary responsibility
If you have responsibility for something or someone, or if they are your responsibility , it is your job or duty to deal with them and to take decisions relating to them.
responsibility payment
payment made to somebody who has special responsibilities
shift responsibility
If you have responsibility for something or someone, or if they are your responsibility , it is your job or duty to deal with them and to take decisions relating to them.
sole responsibility
If you have responsibility for something or someone, or if they are your responsibility , it is your job or duty to deal with them and to take decisions relating to them.
take responsibility
If you have responsibility for something or someone, or if they are your responsibility , it is your job or duty to deal with them and to take decisions relating to them.
additional responsibility
Your responsibilities are the duties that you have because of your job or position.
collective responsibility
If you think that you have a responsibility to do something, you feel that you ought to do it because it is morally right to do it.
corporate responsibility
the incorporation of ethical elements, such as the public interest and environmental concern, into the planning of business strategy
diminished responsibility
In law, diminished responsibility is a defence which states that someone is not mentally well enough to be totally responsible for their crime .
feel a responsibility
If you think that you have a responsibility to do something, you feel that you ought to do it because it is morally right to do it.
individual responsibility
If you have responsibility for something or someone, or if they are your responsibility , it is your job or duty to deal with them and to take decisions relating to them.
leadership responsibility
Your responsibilities are the duties that you have because of your job or position.
managerial responsibility
Your responsibilities are the duties that you have because of your job or position.
parental responsibility
If you have responsibility for something or someone, or if they are your responsibility , it is your job or duty to deal with them and to take decisions relating to them.
responsibility allowance
payment made to somebody who has special responsibilities
shoulder responsibility
If you have responsibility for something or someone, or if they are your responsibility , it is your job or duty to deal with them and to take decisions relating to them.
statutory responsibility
If you have responsibility for something or someone, or if they are your responsibility , it is your job or duty to deal with them and to take decisions relating to them.
transfer responsibility
If you have responsibility for something or someone, or if they are your responsibility , it is your job or duty to deal with them and to take decisions relating to them.
hand over responsibility
If you have responsibility for something or someone, or if they are your responsibility , it is your job or duty to deal with them and to take decisions relating to them.
place responsibility on
If you have responsibility for something or someone, or if they are your responsibility , it is your job or duty to deal with them and to take decisions relating to them.
share the responsibility
If you have responsibility for something or someone, or if they are your responsibility , it is your job or duty to deal with them and to take decisions relating to them.
corporate social responsibility
the incorporation of ethical elements, such as the public interest and environmental concern, into the planning of business strategy
Chinese translation of 'responsibility'
responsibility
(rɪspɔnsɪˈbɪlɪtɪ)
n
(u) (= liability) 责(責)任 (zérèn)
(s) (= duty) 职(職)责(責) (zhízé)
(u) (= obligation) 义(義)务(務) (yìwù)
to take responsibility for sth/sb对(對)某事/某人负(負)责(責) (duì mǒushì/mǒurén fùzé)
Derived Forms
responsibilitiesn pl责(責)任 (zérèn)
1 (noun)
Definition
a person or thing for which one is responsible
The 600 properties were his responsibility.
Synonyms
duty
business
Parenting can be a stressful business.
job
the pressure of being the first woman in the job
role
task
He had the unenviable task of breaking the bad news.
function
burden
liability
accountability
an impetus towards democracy and greater accountability
onus
The onus was on the Italians to find a solution.
answerability
2 (noun)
Definition
the state of being responsible
They have admitted responsibility for the accident.
Synonyms
fault
It was all my fault we quarrelled.
blame
I could not let an innocent man take the blame for this.
liability
What was once a vote-catching policy is now a political liability.
guilt
You were never convinced of his guilt, were you?
culpability
He added there was clear culpability on the part of the government.
burden
Having more responsibility at work felt like a burden to him.
3 (noun)
This helps employees balance work and family responsibilities.
Synonyms
obligation
I have an ethical and moral obligation to my client.
duty
My duty is to look after the animals.
liability
They admit liability, but dispute the amount of his claim.
charge
I have been given charge of this class.
care
He never seemed to have a care in the world.
4 (noun)
a better-paying job with more responsibility
Synonyms
authority
The judge has no authority to order a second trial.
power
women who have reached positions of great power and influence
control
The first aim of his government would be to establish control over the republic's territory.
management
the responsibility for its day-to-day management
leadership
He praised her leadership during the crisis.
importance
He was too puffed up with his own importance to accept the verdict.
mana (New Zealand)
a leader of great mana and influence
5 (noun)
Definition
a person or thing for which one is responsible
I'm glad it's not my responsibility to be their guardian.
Synonyms
job
Their main job is to preserve health rather than treat illness.
task
function
The main function of merchant banks is to raise capital.
role
His role in the events has been pivotal.
pigeon (informal)
It's a general problem, not our pigeon.
6 (noun)
I think she's shown responsibility.
Synonyms
level-headedness
stability
maturity
Many teenagers lack self confidence and maturity.
common sense
Her mother acted with remarkable common sense.
reliability
rationality
reasonableness
dependability
trustworthiness
conscientiousness
soberness
sensibleness
related words
related phobiahypegiaphobia
Quotations
Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown [William Shakespeare – Henry IV, part II]The buck stops here [Harry S. Truman – motto on his desk at the White House]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of accountability
an impetus towards democracy and greater accountability
Synonyms
responsibility,
liability,
culpability,
answerability,
chargeability
in the sense of blame
Definition
responsibility for something that is wrong
I could not let an innocent man take the blame for this.
Synonyms
responsibility,
liability,
rap (slang),
accountability,
onus,
culpability,
answerability
in the sense of burden
Definition
something that is difficult to bear
Having more responsibility at work felt like a burden to him.
Synonyms
trouble,
care,
worry,
trial,
weight,
responsibility,
stress,
strain,
anxiety,
sorrow,
grievance,
affliction,
onus,
albatross,
millstone,
encumbrance
Synonyms of 'responsibility'
responsibility
Explore 'responsibility' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of business
Definition
an affair
Parenting can be a stressful business.
Synonyms
matter,
issue,
subject,
point,
problem,
question,
responsibility,
task,
duty,
function,
topic,
assignment
in the sense of care
Definition
trouble or worry
He never seemed to have a care in the world.
Synonyms
worry,
concern,
pressure,
trouble,
responsibility,
stress,
burden,
anxiety,
hardship,
woe,
disquiet,
affliction,
tribulation,
perplexity,
vexation
in the sense of charge
Definition
custody or guardianship
I have been given charge of this class.
Synonyms
care,
trust,
responsibility,
custody,
safekeeping
in the sense of common sense
Definition
good practical understanding
Her mother acted with remarkable common sense.
Synonyms
good sense,
sound judgment,
level-headedness,
practicality,
prudence,
nous (British, slang),
soundness,
reasonableness,
gumption (British, informal),
horse sense,
native intelligence,
mother wit,
smarts (slang, US),
wit
in the sense of control
Definition
power to direct something
The first aim of his government would be to establish control over the republic's territory.
Synonyms
power,
government,
rule,
authority,
management,
direction,
command,
discipline,
guidance,
supervision,
jurisdiction,
supremacy,
mastery,
superintendence,
charge
in the sense of culpability
He added there was clear culpability on the part of the government.
Synonyms
fault,
blameworthiness,
blame,
responsibility,
liability,
accountability,
answerability
in the sense of function
Definition
the intended role or purpose of a person or thing
The main function of merchant banks is to raise capital.
Synonyms
purpose,
business,
job,
concern,
use,
part,
office,
charge,
role,
post,
operation,
situation,
activity,
exercise,
responsibility,
task,
duty,
mission,
employment,
capacity,
province,
occupation,
raison d'être
in the sense of guilt
Definition
the fact or state of having done wrong
You were never convinced of his guilt, were you?
Synonyms
culpability,
blame,
responsibility,
misconduct,
delinquency,
criminality,
wickedness,
iniquity,
sinfulness,
blameworthiness,
guiltiness,
wrongdoing
in the sense of importance
He was too puffed up with his own importance to accept the verdict.
Synonyms
prestige,
standing,
status,
rule,
authority,
influence,
distinction,
esteem,
prominence,
supremacy,
mastery,
dominion,
eminence,
ascendancy,
pre-eminence,
mana (New Zealand),
bottom
in the sense of leadership
He praised her leadership during the crisis.
Synonyms
authority,
control,
influence,
command,
premiership,
captaincy,
governance,
headship,
superintendency
Additional synonyms
in the sense of liability
Definition
someone or something that is a problem or embarrassment
What was once a vote-catching policy is now a political liability.
Synonyms
disadvantage,
burden,
drawback,
inconvenience,
drag (informal),
handicap,
minus (informal),
nuisance,
impediment,
albatross,
hindrance,
millstone,
encumbrance
in the sense of liability
Definition
the state of being legally responsible
They admit liability, but dispute the amount of his claim.
Synonyms
responsibility,
accountability,
culpability,
obligation,
onus,
answerability
in the sense of mana
Definition
authority, influence and prestige
a leader of great mana and influence
Synonyms
authority,
influence,
power,
might,
force,
weight,
strength,
domination,
sway,
standing,
status,
importance,
esteem,
stature,
eminence
in the sense of management
Definition
the technique or practice of managing or controlling
the responsibility for its day-to-day management
Synonyms
administration,
control,
rule,
government,
running,
charge,
care,
operation,
handling,
direction,
conduct,
command,
guidance,
supervision,
manipulation,
governance,
superintendence
in the sense of maturity
Many teenagers lack self confidence and maturity.
Synonyms
sense of responsibility,
experience,
sense,
wisdom,
sophistication,
level-headedness,
matureness
in the sense of onus
Definition
a responsibility, task, or burden
The onus was on the Italians to find a solution.
Synonyms
burden,
weight,
responsibility,
worry,
task,
stress,
duty,
load,
obligation,
liability
in the sense of pigeon
Definition
concern or responsibility
It's a general problem, not our pigeon.
Synonyms
responsibility,
business,
concern,
baby (slang),
worry,
lookout (informal)
in the sense of power
Definition
a position of control, esp. over the running of a country
women who have reached positions of great power and influence
Synonyms
control,
authority,
influence,
command,
sovereignty,
sway,
dominance,
domination,
supremacy,
mastery,
dominion,
ascendancy,
mana (New Zealand),
bottom
in the sense of role
Definition
a task or function
His role in the events has been pivotal.
Synonyms
job,
part,
position,
post,
task,
duty,
function,
office,
capacity
in the sense of task
Definition
a specific piece of work required to be done
He had the unenviable task of breaking the bad news.