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responsible
/rɪˈspɑːn.sə.bəl/
accountable for actions
She is responsible for managing the team.
She has the duty to oversee and direct the team.
general
Having the duty to deal with something or someone.
The manager is responsible for the department's performance.
The manager must ensure the department succeeds.
Often followed by 'for' + noun phrase or gerund (-ing verb).
general
Being the cause of something.
He was responsible for the accident.
He caused the accident.
Used to assign blame or credit.
general
Reliable or trustworthy in a position of authority.
She is a responsible babysitter.
She can be trusted to care for children safely.
Collocations
be responsible forhave the duty to handlehold someone responsibleblame someone for a mistaketake responsibilityaccept accountability
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Prepositions
Use 'for' after 'responsible' to indicate the duty or cause (e.g., 'responsible for the project'). Use 'to' to indicate the person being addressed (e.g., 'responsible to the board').
Gold Rule
Avoid Redundancy
Do not use 'very responsible'—'responsible' is already a strong adjective. Instead, use 'highly responsible' or 'extremely reliable.'
Word Origin
From Latin *responsabilis* ('answerable'), from *respondere* ('to respond, answer'), combining *re-* ('back') + *spondere* ('to pledge'). Entered English in the 16th century with the sense of 'liable to answer.'
Usage Notes
Commonly used in formal contexts (e.g., contracts, job descriptions) and informal settings (e.g., parenting, friendships). Often paired with 'for' to specify the duty or cause. Avoid using as a noun ('responsibleness' is rare).
Word Breakdown
re-
back, again
prefix-spond-
pledge, promise
root-ible
able to be
suffixEnglish Dictionary