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answer

n. · v.
US //ˈænsɝ// UK //ˈɑːnsɐ// an·swer
  1. 1 a reply (n.)
    A1 Beginner

    something you say or write back to someone who has asked you a question.

    a spoken or written response to a question, statement, or greeting.

    Example

    I sent her a message yesterday but I still haven't had an answer.

    Example

    The minister provided a vague answer to the journalist's inquiry, successfully avoiding any commitment to a specific timeline for the new policy.
    Pitfall
    I am waiting for an answer of my email.
    I am waiting for an answer to my email.

    Use the preposition 'to' after the noun 'answer' when connecting it to the thing being replied to.

  2. 2 a solution (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    the way to fix a problem or the correct result of a test question.

    the solution to a problem or the correct result of a mathematical or logical exercise.

    Example

    Check your answers at the back of the book after you finish the exercise.

    Example

    Scientists are still searching for an answer to the mystery of why these birds migrate such vast distances every year.
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  1. 3 legal response (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Technical Law

    a formal document that a person writes to defend themselves in court.

    a formal written pleading filed by a defendant in response to a civil complaint.

    Example

    The company filed its answer to the lawsuit on Tuesday morning.

    Example

    The defendant's answer denied all allegations of negligence and raised several affirmative defenses regarding the statute of limitations.
  2. 4 to reply (v.)
    A1 Beginner

    to say or write something back to someone.

    to speak, write, or act in response to a query or statement.

    Example

    She didn't answer me when I asked her what was wrong.

    Example

    The CEO refused to answer questions regarding the merger until the official press release had been distributed to the shareholders.
    Pitfall
    Please answer to my question.
    Please answer my question.

    The verb 'answer' is transitive and does not take the preposition 'to' before the object.

  3. 5 to pick up a phone/door (v.)
    A1 Beginner

    to pick up the phone or open the door when someone is there.

    to respond to a signal, such as a telephone ringing or a knock at a door.

    Example

    I knocked on the door for five minutes but nobody answered.

    Example

    Despite several attempts to reach the office by phone, nobody answered the call during regular business hours.
  4. 6 to be responsible (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to be the person who must explain why something happened or take the blame.

    to be responsible or liable for something; to be accountable to a person or authority.

    Example

    The manager has to answer for the mistakes made by his team.

    Example

    In a democratic system, elected officials must ultimately answer to the public for the decisions they make while in office.

    Usage

    Usually used with the preposition 'for' (the action) or 'to' (the person in charge).
  5. 7 to match or suit (v.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    to be exactly what is needed for a specific purpose.

    to correspond to a description or to satisfy a particular requirement or need.

    Example

    This new apartment answers all my needs for a quiet place to work.

    Example

    The suspect arrested last night answers the description provided by the witnesses at the scene of the crime.
Etymology 1

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂ent- Proto-Indo-European *-s Proto-Indo-European *h₂éntsder. Proto-Germanic *anda- Proto-Indo-European *swer-der. Proto-Germanic *swarō Proto-Germanic *andaswarō Proto-West Germanic *andaswaru Old English andswaru Middle English answere English answer From Middle English answere, andsware, from Old English andswaru (“answer”), from and- (“against”) + swaru (“affirmation”), (from Proto-Indo-European h₂ent- (“front, forehead”) and Old English swerian (“to swear”), from Proto-Indo-European swer-), suggesting an original meaning of "a sworn statement rebutting a charge". The cognates suggest the existence of Proto-Germanic *andaswarō (“a reply to a question”). Cognate with Old Frisian ondser (“answer”), Old Saxon andswōr (“answer”), Danish and Swedish ansvar (“liability, responsibility, answer”), Icelandic andsvar (“answer, response”). Compare also Old English andwyrde (“answer”) (cognate to Dutch antwoord, German Antwort), Old English andcwiss (“reply”), German Schwur (“oath, vow”).

Etymology 2

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂ent- Proto-Indo-European *-s Proto-Indo-European *h₂éntsder. Proto-Germanic *anda- Proto-Indo-European *swer-der. Proto-Germanic *swarjaną Proto-Germanic *andaswarjaną Old English andswerian Middle English answeren English answer From Middle English answeren, andswaren, answerien, from Old English andswarian, answarien (“to answer, to respond, to deny an allegation under oath”), from Proto-Germanic andaswarōną, andaswarjaną (“to answer, to give a response, to rebut”), from anda- (“against”) + swarjaną, swarōną (“to swear an oath, to answer, to respond”), from Proto-Indo-European h₂ent- (“face, forehead”) and *swer- (“to swear”). Cognate with Old Frisian ondswera (“to answer”), Danish ansvare (“to answer, account for”), Swedish ansvara (“to answer, account for”), Icelandic andsvara (“to answer, reply”).

Word family
Idioms5 entries

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