Word
responsibility
Phoneticsre·spon·si·bil·i·ty, stress on the fourth syllable
US/ɹiˌspɑnsəˈbɪɫəti/
UK/ɹɪspˌɒnsəbˈɪlɪti/
Definitions
01a duty or task
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. a specific task or duty that you are expected to do as part of your job or life.
n. a specific duty, obligation, or task for which an individual is held accountable. Often used in the plural to describe job requirements.
日本語:責任※
“One of my main responsibilities at work is answering the phones.”
“The manager delegated several key responsibilities to her assistant to ensure the project remained on schedule during her absence.”
Pitfall
It is my responsibility for cleaning the kitchen.
It is my responsibility to clean the kitchen.
When 'responsibility' is followed by an action, use 'to' plus the infinitive verb, or 'for' plus a gerund ('for cleaning').
Synonyms
02being in charge
B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the state of being the person who must make sure something is done correctly.
n. the abstract state or quality of being accountable or having authority over something.
日本語:責任※
“With the new promotion comes a lot more responsibility and longer hours.”
“The captain accepted full responsibility for the safety of the passengers, refusing to leave the vessel until everyone had been evacuated.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03blame or fault
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Law Formal
n. the state of being the person who caused something to happen, especially something bad.
n. legal or moral liability for an act or its consequences; the state of being culpable.
日本語:責任※
“The company accepted responsibility for the accident and paid for the repairs.”
“The court must determine whether the defendant bears criminal responsibility for the damages caused by the fire.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “responsibility” in context.
Verb
01. assume responsibility
“The new manager is ready to assume responsibility for the project's success.”
verb + noun
Adjective
02. direct responsibility
“She has direct responsibility for the safety of all employees in the factory.”
adj + noun
03. primary responsibility
“My primary responsibility is to ensure that all customers are satisfied.”
adj + noun
Noun
04. social responsibility
“Many companies now focus on social responsibility by donating to local charities.”
adj + noun
05. responsibility direct
Real-World Examples
“Pithy slogans aside, all modern presidents shift responsibility onto others to some degree, frequently blaming the commander-in-chief who preceded them, Congress — or both.” “Trust responsibilities are the legal and moral obligations the U.S. has to protect and uphold those rights.” “California Gov. Gavin Newsom has met with world and business leaders to advance climate action and clean energy in New York, and says President Donald Trump has abdicated that responsibility.” Etymology
From responsible + -ity. Although the components are of French origin, the compound appears to have been formed in English. Later-attested French responsabilité is modeled on the English word, and Italian responsabilità is in turn modeled on the French.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- 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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/responsibility
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0