answer
noun OPAL S
/ˈɑːnsə(r)/
/ˈænsər/
Idioms - I rang the bell, but there was no answer.
- Can't you give me a definitive answer?
- The short answer is no.
- The simple answer is that we don't know.
- a question and answer session
- answer to something I can't easily give an answer to your question.
- Have you had an answer to your letter?
- She had no answer to the accusations.
- in answer to something As if in answer to our prayers, she offered to lend us £10 000.
- answer from somebody You're not going to get an answer from me!
- answer as to something The report does not provide answers as to why the tragedy occurred.
Which Word? answer / replyanswer / replyVerbs- Answer and reply are the most common verbs used for speaking or writing as a reaction to a question, letter, etc.
- Note that you answer a person, question or letter, not answer to them, but you reply to somebody or something:
- I’m writing to answer your questions
- I’m writing to reply to your questions.
- I’m writing to answer to your questions.
- Answer can be used with or without an object:
- I haven’t answered her email yet.
- I knocked on the door but nobody answered.
- ‘I won’t let you down,’ he replied.
- Respond is less common and more formal:
- The directors were unwilling to respond to questions.
- You can only answer a door or a phone.
- Note the phrases in answer to and in reply to:
- I’m writing in answer to your letter.
Extra Examples- He left without waiting to hear her answer.
- He was clearly expecting a different answer.
- I cannot give you a definite answer just yet.
- I expect a straight answer to a straight question.
- I struggled to formulate an answer.
- I complained to the water company and received a very dusty answer.
- I think you can guess the answer—they won't lend us the money.
- I want some answers before I agree to anything.
- Please give her your answer, so she can make the necessary arrangements.
- She repeated her question, but he offered no answer.
- The answer came in a postcard she sent from Devon.
- The question deserves a proper answer.
- The short answer to your query is that he has acted completely illegally.
- We can provide answers to any questions you may have about the system.
- In answer to your question—yes, I have seen him before.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- brief
- one-word
- quick
- …
- get
- have
- receive
- …
- come
- in answer to
- answer to
- the correct/right answer
- Write your answers on the sheet provided.
- Do you know the answer (= the right one) to question 12?
- The answers are at the back of the book.
Extra ExamplesTopics Educationa1- The sender of the first correct answer to be drawn will receive £100.
- It's not worth guessing the answer, as you may lose marks.
- Please print the answers to questions 1 and 2.
- The students are allowed to use textbooks to find the right answer.
- This part of the exam requires a written answer.
- the short-answer section of the test
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- acceptable
- appropriate
- correct
- …
- give
- submit
- guess
- …
- answer to
- There is no easy answer.
- The answer is simple.
- answer to something This could be the answer to all our problems.
- There are more questions than answers on the issue of our ageing population.
- This may not be the answer for everyone.
- She has spent her life looking for answers.
- The obvious answer would be to cancel the party.
- The answer lies in a combination of factors.
Extra Examples- The answer came to him in a flash.
- We are aware of this problem, but we do not have the answer.
- If you really want to save time, this machine will provide the answer.
- We have arrived at an answer which we hope will satisfy everyone.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- easy
- instant
- pat
- …
- have
- know
- look for
- …
- come to somebody
- depend on something
- lie in something
- …
- answer to
- have all the answers
- know all the answers
- answer to something a person or thing from one place that may be thought to be as good as a famous person or thing from another place
- The new theme park will be Britain's answer to Disneyland.
More Like This Silent lettersSilent letters- gnarled
- gnash
- gnat
- gnaw
- gnome
- haute cuisine
- heir
- herb
- honour
- hors d’oeuvre
- hour
- knack
- knee
- kneel
- knife
- knight
- knit
- knob
- knock
- knot
- know
- knuckle
- psalm
- psephology
- psychic
- ptarmigan
- pterodactyl
- psychology
- wrangle
- wrap
- wreath
- wreck
- wrench
- wrestle
- wriggle
- wring
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- wrong
- bomb
- climb
- crumb
- doubt
- lamb
- limb
- ascent
- fascinate
- muscle
- scene
- scissors
- height
- right
- sleigh
- weight
- align
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- foreign
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- reign
- unfeigned
- balmy
- calm
- calf
- half
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- autumn
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- condemn
- damn
- hymn
- solemn
- bristle
- fasten
- listen
- mortgage
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- thistle
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Word OriginOld English andswaru (noun), andswarian (verb), of Germanic origin; from a base shared by swear.
Idioms
have/know all the answers
- (informal, often disapproving) to be confident that you know something, especially when you actually do not
- He thinks he knows all the answers.
not take no for an answer
- to refuse to accept that somebody does not want something, will not do something, etc.
- You're coming and I won't take no for an answer!