SYNONYMY NOTE: responsible applies to one who has been delegated some duty or responsibility by one in authorityand who is subject to penalty in case of default [she is responsible for making out the reports]; answerable implies a legal or moral obligation for which one must answer to someone sittingin judgment [he is not answerable for the crimes of his parents]; accountable implies liability for which one may be called to account [you will be held accountable for anything you may say]
Derived forms
responsibleness (reˈsponsibleness)
noun
responsibly (reˈsponsibly)
adverb
Word origin
MFr < L responsus: see response
Examples of 'responsible' in a sentence
responsible
They told me the person responsible has been disciplined.
The Sun (2017)
Such systems could help police target the small number of people who are responsible for a large proportion of all crime.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Successive Westminster governments are responsible for the above problems.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We played them once and beat them so we're not responsible for their position.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
So, the person responsible for mending the wall is the owner of the common land.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
So, it is highly unlikely that your landlord is responsible for the actions of the tenants upstairs.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It's the person who has to stay sober and be responsible and generally act like security in a nightclub.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Government agencies responsible for bringing fraudsters and financial criminals to book have suffered serial criticism when long-running and expensive investigations result in no convictions.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The public came to hold governments responsible for national economies.
Low, Nicholas Politics, Planning and the State (1990)
Young people must practise responsible behaviour on social networking sites.
The Sun (2009)
You have to prove that the other person was responsible for it.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
As a church family we are equally responsible and accountable to one another.
Christianity Today (2000)
Family doctors are highly trained people doing an important and responsible job.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
With his love of the region and its people this responsible position suited him admirably.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Responsible governments have deployed this wealth by investing it and thereby diversifying their sources of income.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
They expect you to be the responsible one.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
This would lead to more realistic and responsible behaviour by investment bankers and fund managers.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Individuals who carry out wrongful acts are also responsible in international law.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Yet as adults we are responsible for our actions.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
They hold responsible positions because they are trusted to do so.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Responsible for writing one of the worst books in the history of publishing.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
They felt that they were the masters in their own workplace, responsible people.
Aganbegyan, Abel Inside Perestroika: The Future of the Soviet Economy (1990)
It's important that those responsible for these deaths are brought to justice.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Alas, the same man was responsible for both howlers.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In other languages
responsible
British English: responsible /rɪˈspɒnsəbl/ ADJECTIVE
If you are responsible for something bad that has happened, it is your fault.
He still felt responsible for her death.
American English: responsible
Arabic: مَسْؤُول
Brazilian Portuguese: responsável
Chinese: 负责的
Croatian: odgovoran
Czech: odpovědný
Danish: ansvarlig
Dutch: verantwoordelijk
European Spanish: responsable
Finnish: vastuullinen
French: responsable
German: verantwortlich
Greek: υπεύθυνος
Italian: responsabile
Japanese: 責任がある
Korean: 책임이 있는
Norwegian: ansvarlig
Polish: odpowiedzialny
European Portuguese: responsável
Romanian: responsabil
Russian: ответственный
Latin American Spanish: responsable a cargo de algo
Swedish: ansvarig
Thai: รับผิดชอบ
Turkish: sorumlu
Ukrainian: відповідальний
Vietnamese: chịu trách nhiệm
Chinese translation of 'responsible'
responsible
(rɪsˈpɔnsɪbl)
adj
(= at fault) 负(負)有责(責)任的 (fùyǒu zérèn de)
(= in charge) 负(負)责(責)的 (fùzé de)
(= sensible, trustworthy)
[person]可靠的 (kěkào de)
[job]责(責)任重大的 (zérèn zhòngdà de)
to be responsible for sth/doing sth为(為)某事/做某事负(負)责(責) (wèi mǒushì/zuò mǒushì fùzé)
to be responsible to sb对(對)某人负(負)责(責) (duì mǒurén fùzé)
请勿将 responsible for 和 responsible to 混淆。如果你 responsible for 某事物，表示你有责任处理此事，并做出与之有关的决定。 We cannot be responsible for delays between sending and receipt of e-mails.responsible for 也可表示某人是导致某事发生的原因，或应对此承担责任。 He still felt responsible for her death. 如果你 responsible to 某个人或某个组织，表明他们是你的上级，你需要向他们进行汇报。 I'm responsible to my board of directors.
1 (adjective)
Definition
being the agent or cause (of some action)
He felt responsible for their late arrival.
Synonyms
to blame
Who is to blame here?
guilty
They were found guilty of fraud.
The guilty pair were caught red-handed.
at fault
She didn't accept that she was at fault.
culpable
Their decision to do nothing makes them culpable.
behind
2 (adjective)
Definition
having control or authority over
the minister responsible for the environment
Synonyms
in charge
in control
at the helm
He has been at the helm of Lonrho for 31 years.
in authority
carrying the can (informal)
3 (adjective)
Definition
being accountable for one's actions and decisions to
I'm responsible to my board of directors.
Synonyms
accountable
The major industries should be accountable to their customers.
subject
bound
liable
The airline's insurer is liable for damages.
amenable
answerable
duty-bound
chargeable
under obligation
Opposites
unaccountable
4 (adjective)
Definition
rational and accountable for one's own actions
He's a very responsible sort of person.
Synonyms
sensible
She was a sensible girl and did not panic.
sound
They are trained nutritionists who can give sound advice on diets.
adult
stable
a stable marriage
mature
We are mature, freethinking adults.
reliable
She was efficient and reliable.
rational
a rational decision
sober
We are now far more sober and realistic.
conscientious
She is generally very conscientious about her work.
dependable
He was a good friend and a dependable companion.
trustworthy
He is a trustworthy, level-headed teacher.
level-headed
She is level-headed and practical.
Opposites
irresponsible
,
unreliable
,
untrustworthy
,
undependable
,
unconscientious
5 (adjective)
Definition
(of a position or duty) involving decision and accountability
demoted to less responsible jobs
Synonyms
authoritative
high
Every one of them is controlled by the families of high officials.
important
an important figure in the media world
executive
She sits on the executive committee of the company.
decision-making
Additional synonyms
in the sense of at fault
Definition
to be to blame for something wrong
She didn't accept that she was at fault.
Synonyms
guilty,
responsible,
to blame,
accountable,
in the wrong,
culpable,
answerable,
blamable
in the sense of at the helm
Definition
in a position of leadership or control
He has been at the helm of Lonrho for 31 years.
Synonyms
in charge,
in control,
in command,
directing,
at the wheel,
in the saddle,
in the driving seat
in the sense of conscientious
Definition
painstaking or thorough in one's work
She is generally very conscientious about her work.
Synonyms
thorough,
particular,
careful,
exact,
faithful,
meticulous,
painstaking,
diligent,
punctilious (formal)
Synonyms of 'responsible'
responsible
Explore 'responsible' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of culpable
Definition
deserving blame
Their decision to do nothing makes them culpable.
Synonyms
blameworthy,
wrong,
guilty,
to blame,
liable,
in the wrong,
at fault,
sinful,
answerable,
found wanting,
reprehensible,
blamable,
censurable
in the sense of dependable
Definition
reliable and trustworthy
He was a good friend and a dependable companion.
Synonyms
reliable,
sure,
responsible,
steady,
faithful,
staunch,
reputable,
trustworthy,
trusty,
go-to,
unfailing
in the sense of executive
Definition
having the function of carrying plans, orders, laws, etc., into effect
She sits on the executive committee of the company.
Synonyms
administrative,
controlling,
directing,
governing,
regulating,
decision-making,
managerial
in the sense of guilty
Definition
responsible for doing something wrong
They were found guilty of fraud.The guilty pair were caught red-handed.
Synonyms
culpable,
responsible,
convicted,
to blame,
offending,
erring,
at fault,
reprehensible,
iniquitous,
felonious,
blameworthy
in the sense of high
Definition
towards the top of a scale of importance or quality
Every one of them is controlled by the families of high officials.
Synonyms
important,
leading,
ruling,
chief,
powerful,
significant,
distinguished,
prominent,
superior,
influential,
notable,
big-time (informal),
eminent,
major league (informal),
exalted,
consequential,
skookum (Canadian)
in the sense of important
Definition
of social significance
an important figure in the media world
Synonyms
powerful,
leading,
prominent,
commanding,
supreme,
outstanding,
high-level,
dominant,
influential,
notable,
big-time (informal),
foremost,
eminent,
high-ranking,
authoritative,
major league (informal),
of note,
noteworthy,
pre-eminent,
skookum (Canadian)
in the sense of level-headed
Definition
calm and sensible
She is level-headed and practical.
Synonyms
calm,
balanced,
reasonable,
composed,
together (slang),
cool,
collected,
steady,
sensible,
sane,
dependable,
unflappable (informal),
self-possessed,
even-tempered,
grounded
in the sense of liable
Definition
legally obliged or responsible
The airline's insurer is liable for damages.
Synonyms
responsible,
accountable,
amenable,
answerable,
bound,
obligated,
chargeable
in the sense of mature
Definition
sensible and balanced in personality and emotional behaviour
We are mature, freethinking adults.
Synonyms
sensible,
experienced,
adult,
responsible,
wise,
sophisticated,
reliable,
discriminating,
dependable,
level-headed,
sagacious
in the sense of rational
Definition
reasonable or sensible
a rational decision
Synonyms
sensible,
sound,
wise,
reasonable,
intelligent,
realistic,
logical,
enlightened,
sane,
lucid,
judicious,
sagacious,
grounded
Additional synonyms
in the sense of reliable
Definition
able to be trusted
She was efficient and reliable.
Synonyms
dependable,
trustworthy,
honest,
responsible,
sure,
sound,
true,
certain,
regular,
stable,
faithful,
predictable,
upright,
staunch,
reputable,
trusty,
unfailing,
tried and true
in the sense of sober
Definition
serious and thoughtful
We are now far more sober and realistic.
Synonyms
serious,
practical,
realistic,
sound,
cool,
calm,
grave,
reasonable,
steady,
composed,
rational,
solemn,
lucid,
sedate,
staid,
level-headed,
dispassionate,
unruffled,
clear-headed,
unexcited,
grounded
in the sense of sound
Definition
showing good judgment or reasoning
They are trained nutritionists who can give sound advice on diets.
Synonyms
sensible,
wise,
reasonable,
right,
true,
responsible,
correct,
proper,
reliable,
valid,
orthodox,
rational,
logical,
prudent,
trustworthy,
well-founded,
level-headed,
right-thinking,
well-grounded,
grounded
in the sense of stable
Definition
lasting and not likely to experience any sudden changes