# responsible

/ɹiˈspɑnsəbəɫ/ (US) · /ɹɪspˈɒnsəbəl/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. having a duty

adjective · CEFR B1

having the job or duty of taking care of someone or something.

For teachers: having the obligation to ensure a task is completed or a person is cared for; often used with the preposition 'for'.

- The manager is responsible for making sure the shop opens on time every morning.
- As the lead architect, she was ultimately responsible for ensuring that the structural modifications complied with the city's stringent safety codes.

Usage: Usually followed by the preposition 'for' and a noun or gerund.

### 2. being the cause

adjective · CEFR B1

being the person or thing that caused something to happen.

For teachers: being the primary cause or agent of a particular action or situation, whether for credit or blame.

- The heavy rain was responsible for the flooding in the basement.
- While several factors contributed to the project's failure, a lack of clear communication was primarily responsible for the missed deadlines.

### 3. sensible and reliable

adjective · CEFR B1

behaving in a sensible way and able to be trusted.

For teachers: demonstrating good judgment and reliability; capable of rational and moral conduct.

- We need a responsible person to look after the house while we are away.
- The committee is looking for a responsible candidate who can manage the budget without constant supervision.

### 4. minor actor

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

an actor who plays small or less important parts in a theatre company.

For teachers: a performer who takes on secondary or minor roles within a repertory theatre system.

- He started his career as a responsible, playing three different small parts in the same play.
- The young actor spent two seasons as a responsible in the regional company before being cast in a leading role.

Usage: Used as a countable noun within the context of professional theatre companies.

Teaching tip: This is a very niche technical term in theatre; learners will almost always encounter 'responsible' as an adjective.

## Examples

- The stage manager is responsible for the actors' safety.
- As the lead lighting technician, she is responsible for ensuring all the spotlights are correctly positioned before the curtain rises.
- While the director oversees the artistic vision, the producer is ultimately responsible for the financial viability of the entire theatrical production.

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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.