# answered

/ˈænsɝd/ (US) · /ˈɑːnsəd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/answered
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. replied to a person

verb · CEFR A1

said or wrote something back to someone who asked a question.

For teachers: provided a verbal or written response to a query or statement. Transitive when followed by the person or the question.

- I answered all the questions on the test before the time finished.
- The witness answered the prosecutor's questions with remarkable composure, never once deviating from her original statement.

Usage: Takes a direct object without a preposition.

### 2. reacted to a signal

verb · CEFR A1

picked up a phone or opened a door when you heard a sound.

For teachers: responded to a mechanical or electronic signal, such as a telephone ring or a knock at a door.

- Nobody answered the door even though the lights were on inside.
- He answered the phone on the first ring, sounding breathless as if he had been waiting for the call all afternoon.

### 3. having a solution

adjective · CEFR B2 · Formal

describes a question or problem that now has a solution.

For teachers: referring to a query or problem for which a response or solution has been provided.

- With the mystery finally answered, the family could finally feel at peace.
- The report left several critical points addressed, yet the most pressing concerns of the shareholders remained only partially answered.

## Examples

- She answered the phone on the first ring.
- The student raised her hand and answered the teacher's question correctly in front of the whole class.
- Although the witness answered every question with apparent honesty, the prosecution remained skeptical of the timeline provided during the cross-examination.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.