Word
accountability
Phoneticsac·count·abil·i·ty
US/əˈkaʊnəbɪɫɪti/
UK/ɐkˌaʊntəbˈɪlɪti/
Definitions
01responsibility for actions
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Academic
n. the situation where you are responsible for what you do and must explain your results to others.
n. the obligation of an individual or organisation to account for its activities and accept responsibility for them.
“The new law will improve the accountability of big companies to the public.”
“Public demand for greater political accountability has led to more transparent reporting on how tax money is spent.”
Usage
Often used with the prepositions 'to' (the authority) and 'for' (the action).
Synonyms
Antonyms
02tracking property or funds
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Law Formal · Technical
n. the duty to keep exact records of money, equipment, or documents.
n. the legal or regulatory obligation to maintain accurate records of property, funds, or sensitive documents.
“The officer is in charge of the accountability of all medical supplies in the hospital.”
“Strict financial accountability is required to ensure that international aid reaches the intended recipients without being diverted.”
Usage
Common in military, legal, and governmental contexts regarding inventory or budgets.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “accountability” in context.
Verb
01. demand accountability
“Citizens are demanding accountability from the government regarding the missing funds.”
verb + noun
02. evade accountability
“The CEO attempted to evade accountability by blaming the economic downturn.”
verb + noun
03. hold someone to accountability
“The public must hold elected officials to accountability for their campaign promises.”
verb + noun + prep
Adjective
04. democratic accountability
“The new reforms are designed to strengthen democratic accountability within the region.”
adj + noun
05. personal accountability
“Taking personal accountability for your mistakes is a sign of professional maturity.”
adj + noun
Noun
06. lack of accountability
“A perceived lack of accountability led to a breakdown in trust between the staff and management.”
noun + of + noun
07. accountability mechanism
“We need to establish a robust accountability mechanism to monitor the project's progress.”
noun + noun
Preposition
08. with accountability
“The department operates with accountability to the board of directors.”
prep + noun
Real-World Examples
“Qusra has faced settler attacks for decades, Ibrahim explained, and residents tie the rise in violence to the spread of illegal settlements and the lack of accountability for attackers.” “And students moved beyond their initial demands for accountability over the collapse of a concrete canopy at Novi Sad railway station in November 2024, which killed 16 people, and began calling for political change.” “He added that justice systems – including juvenile justice – should combine accountability with rehabilitation, while also providing individualised support and opportunities for reintegration into society.” “UNMISS is engaging intensively with officials at all levels to de-escalate tensions, calling on the authorities to strengthen security in the area and ensure accountability.” Etymology
From accountable + -ity.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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