answer

AN-sur/ˈæn.sɚ/AHN-suh/ˈɑːn.sə/AUSAN-suh/ˈæn.sə/

Pluralanswers

Verbanswers, answering, answered

14 meanings of answer

Practice

1
a replynouncountable
A reply you give when someone asks a question or says something to you.
Like throwing a ball back to someone who threw it to you.
She gave a quick answer when I asked about dinner.
His rude answer surprised the whole class.
UsageSay an answer to something: an answer to my question.
Similarreply, response, retort, rejoinder
Oppositequestion
2
give a replyverbtransitive or intransitive
To reply to someone or something.
Like sending a letter back to someone who wrote to you.
Please answer the question honestly.
She answered her mother right away.
UsageSay answer the question, with no word between. But say reply to a question.
Similarreply, respond
Oppositeask
Note
3
nouncountable
The way to solve a problem or puzzle.
Like finding the missing piece that completes a puzzle.
She finally found the answer to the tricky puzzle.
There is no easy answer to traffic in big cities.
UsageSay the answer to a problem.
Similarsolution, remedy, fix, cure
4
respond to ringverbtransitive or intransitive
To open the door or pick up the phone when someone calls or knocks.
Like picking up the phone when someone is waiting to talk.
Please answer the door because someone is knocking.
She answered the phone after two rings.
UsageSay answer the door and answer the phone.
5
verbtransitive
To do what an order, need, or request asks for.
Like filling an order at a store: you give exactly what was asked for.
The new rules answer the demands of worried parents.
Many people answered the town's call for help and filled sandbags all night.
UsagePeople say answer the call or answer an appeal for help.
Similarmeet, fulfill, satisfy
Note

Less common meanings

6
be accountableverbintransitive
To be held responsible for something, especially something wrong, and to explain it or face what follows.
Like paying back money you lost after borrowing it.
You will answer for breaking the window.
He had to answer for the missing money.
UsageYou answer for something you did, and answer to the person in charge.
Similarpay
Note
7
counterpartnouncountable
A person or thing seen as another place's version of a famous one.
Like one town's copy of a famous building in another town.
That singer is often called our country's answer to Elvis.
The new park is the city's answer to Central Park.
UsageUsually a place's answer to someone or something famous: London's answer to Times Square.
Similarequivalent, counterpart
8
defend oneselfverbtransitive
To reply to a charge or argument, defending yourself or showing it is wrong.
She stood up to answer the accusation in court.
He carefully answered each claim made against him.
UsagePeople say answer the charges or answer an accusation.
Similarrebut, counter, refute
Note
9
good enoughverbtransitive or intransitive
To be good enough for what is needed.
Like using a coat as a blanket when you have nothing else.
This old sofa answers our needs until we buy a new one.
A plastic cup will answer if we have no glasses.
UsageYou can say answer a need, answer the purpose, or simply that will answer.
Similarserve, suffice, do
Note
10
matchverbintransitive
To match or fit something else closely.
Like a puzzle piece that fits the empty space exactly.
The suspect did not answer to the witness's description.
The stolen bike answers to the description in the police report.
UsageUse to before what is matched, as in answer to a description.
Similarcorrespond, conform
Note
11
verbintransitive
To react when someone calls you by a certain name, or to be called that name.
Our dog will only answer to Biscuit, not to any nickname.
My grandfather was born Robert, but he answers to Bob.
UsageA dog answers to its name when it comes after you call it.
Similarrespond
12
noun
A legal paper a person files to reply to the claims made against them in court.
13
verb
To file a legal paper that replies to a complaint made against you in court.
14
verb
To stand or act against someone or something.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of answer apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 1, 3, 7

From Old English 'andswaru', made of 'and-' meaning 'against' and 'swaru' meaning 'a sworn statement'. It may first have meant something like a sworn reply to a charge.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 4 facts

Answer derives from Old English andswaru. en.wiktionary.org
Andswaru consists of and- and swaru. en.wiktionary.org
Old English and- means against. en.wiktionary.org
Swaru denotes a sworn statement or oath. en.wiktionary.org

Meanings 2, 4–6, 8–11

From Old English 'andswarian' meaning 'to answer or respond', made of 'against' plus a root meaning 'to swear an oath or reply'.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 6 facts

The verb answer derives from Old English andswarian. en.wiktionary.org
Old English andswarian meant answer or respond. en.wiktionary.org
The word combines an against prefix with the swear root. en.wiktionary.org
The prefix meant against. en.wiktionary.org
The verbal root meant swear an oath. en.wiktionary.org
The related verb also had the meaning reply. en.wiktionary.org