answer
1 of 2noun
an·swer ˈan(t)-sər 
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 2verb
answered; answering ˈan(t)s-riŋ
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
ˈan(t)-sər-ər
noun 
Synonyms
Noun
- comeback
- rejoinder
- replication
- reply
- response
- retort
- return
Verb
- come back
- rejoin
- reply
- respond
- retort
- return
- riposte
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
oregonlive, 4 Sep. 2022 There’s probably not a team on the schedule where that answer is yes, but that’s more emphasized when talking about a team whose quarterback is getting his first start and his only elite weapon is a tight end. Nathan Baird, cleveland, 2 Sep. 2022 And to me, the answer to that is that the trend in the industry and in the market – the market forces at work – are dictating the changes in our lives and in our businesses. San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Sep. 2022 The short answer is no, according to Dr. Schaffner. Julia Ries, SELF, 29 Aug. 2022 The short answer is no, and certainly not the kind of vaccine exclusively used in the U.S. for the past two decades. Peter Weber, The Week, 20 Aug. 2022 The short answer is that he's been charged with similar crimes in separate cases in two federal courts and in two state courts. Maria Puente, USA TODAY, 15 Aug. 2022 The commanding general of U.S. Space Command gave that neutral answer to a Huntsville space and missile defense symposium Monday when asked about the command’s headquarters moving to the city. Lee Roop | Lroop@al.com, al, 9 Aug. 2022 The short answer is because the nation’s public health infrastructure has been underfunded for decades. Ky Henderson, Rolling Stone, 8 Aug. 2022 Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 7 Sep. 2022 Even as Gardner is preparing for his rookie season with the New York Jets and Bryant is primed to make his regular-season debut with the Seattle Seahawks, the two still find time to answer Sheppard's phone calls and dispense advice. Keith Jenkins, The Enquirer, 2 Sep. 2022 Nevertheless, the question—long before Aaron asked it of me that night in Café Loup—haunted me because, paradoxically, the only true way to answer in the affirmative is to be incapable of answering at all. Ben Lerner, The New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2022 Public-health experts have questions to answer about their failures. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 25 Aug. 2022 Despite returning several pieces from last year's squad, Wallace understands titles aren't won in August and the Tigers have several questions to answer about themselves before anyone looks ahead to the postseason. The Courier-Journal, 18 Aug. 2022 While considering the winning new Hulu comedy This Fool, the hardest question to answer is this: Who is the titular fool? Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2022 That’s kind of a roundabout way to answer your question. Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Aug. 2022 These are the questions nobody in San Francisco can answer, though many have been trying amid a lack of government transparency. Heather Knight, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Aug. 2022 See More
Noun
The answer isn’t in the weight room or the meeting room. oregonlive, 4 Sep. 2022 There’s probably not a team on the schedule where that answer is yes, but that’s more emphasized when talking about a team whose quarterback is getting his first start and his only elite weapon is a tight end. Nathan Baird, cleveland, 2 Sep. 2022 And to me, the answer to that is that the trend in the industry and in the market – the market forces at work – are dictating the changes in our lives and in our businesses. San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Sep. 2022 The short answer is no, according to Dr. Schaffner. Julia Ries, SELF, 29 Aug. 2022 The short answer is no, and certainly not the kind of vaccine exclusively used in the U.S. for the past two decades. Peter Weber, The Week, 20 Aug. 2022 The short answer is that he's been charged with similar crimes in separate cases in two federal courts and in two state courts. Maria Puente, USA TODAY, 15 Aug. 2022 The commanding general of U.S. Space Command gave that neutral answer to a Huntsville space and missile defense symposium Monday when asked about the command’s headquarters moving to the city. Lee Roop | Lroop@al.com, al, 9 Aug. 2022 The short answer is because the nation’s public health infrastructure has been underfunded for decades. Ky Henderson, Rolling Stone, 8 Aug. 2022 Verb
Alabama is not known to shy away from big games, while the Longhorns still have a lot of questions to answer. Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 7 Sep. 2022 Even as Gardner is preparing for his rookie season with the New York Jets and Bryant is primed to make his regular-season debut with the Seattle Seahawks, the two still find time to answer Sheppard's phone calls and dispense advice. Keith Jenkins, The Enquirer, 2 Sep. 2022 Nevertheless, the question—long before Aaron asked it of me that night in Café Loup—haunted me because, paradoxically, the only true way to answer in the affirmative is to be incapable of answering at all. Ben Lerner, The New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2022 Public-health experts have questions to answer about their failures. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 25 Aug. 2022 Despite returning several pieces from last year's squad, Wallace understands titles aren't won in August and the Tigers have several questions to answer about themselves before anyone looks ahead to the postseason. The Courier-Journal, 18 Aug. 2022 While considering the winning new Hulu comedy This Fool, the hardest question to answer is this: Who is the titular fool? Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2022 That’s kind of a roundabout way to answer your question. Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Aug. 2022 These are the questions nobody in San Francisco can answer, though many have been trying amid a lack of government transparency. Heather Knight, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Aug. 2022 See More 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
Phrases Containing answer
Kids Definition
answer 1 of 2
noun
an·swer ˈan-sər
1
: something said or written in reply (as to a question)
2
: a solution of a problem
Money is not the answer to improving this situation.
answer
2 of 2verb
answered; answering
1
: to speak or write in order to satisfy a question
2
: to write a response to a letter or email
3
: to pick up (a ringing telephone)
4
: to open (a door) when someone knocks on it
5
: to react to something with an action
answer a job posting
6
: to take responsibility
The camp director answered for the children's safety.
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 2intransitive 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)
answer 1 of 2
noun
1
as in response
something spoken or written in reaction especially to a question the standard answer of "Fine, thank you" when asked, "How are you?" Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- response
- reply
- reaction
- rejoinder
- return
- retort
- remark
- explanation
- comment
- replication
- feedback
- comeback
- observation
- rebuttal
- justification
- refutation
- back talk
- banter
- communication
- acknowledgement
- acknowledgment
- non sequitur
- repartee
- plea
- defense
- correspondence
- persiflage
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- question
- inquiry
- query
- challenge
- quiz
- interrogatory
- charge
- survey
- interrogation
- questionnaire
- grilling
- poll
- cross-examination
2
as in result
something attained by mental effort and especially by computation the answers to the odd-numbered problems are at the back of the book Synonyms & Similar Words
- result
- solution
- explanation
- clue
- finding
- conclusion
- determination
- key
3
as in reaction
action or behavior that is done in return to other action or behavior a cold stare was her withering answer to that gratuitous insult Synonyms & Similar Words
- response
- reaction
- reply
- take
- backlash
- reflex
- rebound
- recoil
- counterresponse
- revulsion
- kickback
- counterreaction
- rise
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- action
- effect
- cause
- behavior
answer
2 of 2verb
1
as in to respond
to speak or write in reaction to a question or to another reaction didn't answer right away when the detective asked him where he'd been for the last three hours Synonyms & Similar Words
- respond
- reply
- retort
- react
- comment
- explain
- riposte
- return
- acknowledge
- remark
- come back
- rejoin
- counter
- correspond
- field
- communicate
- refute
- rebut
- defend
- deny
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- ask
- question
- inquire
- examine
- challenge
- quiz
- interrogate
- pump
- survey
- grill
- query
- poll
- cross-examine
2
as in to correspond
to be in agreement on every point sorry, I haven't seen anyone answering to that description Synonyms & Similar Words
- correspond
- agree
- check
- coincide
- sort
- fit
- conform
- go
- consist
- jibe
- rhyme
- tally
- square
- chord
- match
- harmonize
- accord
- dovetail
- fall in with
- cohere
- align
- line up
- rime
- parallel
- comport
- equal
- register
- aline
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- disagree (with)
- differ (from)
- contradict
- dispute
- conflict
- gainsay
- nullify
- negate
- jar
- clash
3
as in to fulfill
to do what is required by the terms of I don't have a box cutter as such, but will this knife answer the purpose? Synonyms & Similar Words
- fulfill
- satisfy
- complete
- fulfil
- keep
- meet
- fill
- abide by
- finalize
- make good
- conclude
- accomplish
- redeem
- carry out
- perfect
- execute
- achieve
- effect
- finish
- make good on
- perform
- comply (with)
- bring about
- consummate
- make
- commit
- bring off
- compass
- discharge
- follow through (with)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- break
- violate
- breach
- ignore
- forget
- transgress
- disregard
- slight
- overlook
- neglect
- default (on)
- pass over
- overpass
4
as in to solve
to find an answer for through reasoning try to answer this riddle Synonyms & Similar Words
- solve
- unravel
- resolve
- figure out
- decipher
- work
- work out
- reason
- conclude
- unriddle
- deduce
- crack
- decide
- guess
- judge
- infer
- presume
- riddle (out)
- gather
- break
- iron out
- puzzle (out)
- speculate
- conjecture
- dope (out)
- assume
- unscramble
- decode
- divine
- untie
- untangle
- straighten (out)
- clear (up)
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of answer are rejoinder, reply, response, and retort. While all these words 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
The synonyms rejoinder and answer are sometimes interchangeable, but rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection.
a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument
The meanings of reply and answer largely overlap; however, reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised.
a point-by-point reply to the accusation
In some situations, the words response and answer are roughly equivalent. However, 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
While the synonyms retort and answer are close in meaning, 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
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