answers

1. 1
   noun

   Plural of answer.

   The teacher compared the students' answers against the answer key.

   Several plausible answers emerged during the brainstorming session.

   Note

   The plural is regular, just answer plus -s, and it covers every noun meaning of the word: replies, solutions to problems, things that fill the same role as another, and the documents filed point by point in reply to a legal complaint. The same spelling is also the present-tense verb form. In "she answers quickly" the word is a verb, but in "her answers were brief" it is a noun.

2. 2
   verb

   Third-person singular simple present of answer.

   The receptionist answers the phone in three different languages.

   A good guide answers questions patiently, no matter how often they repeat.

   Note

   Agreement is the whole job of this -s. It appears only with he, she, it or a singular noun, while I, you, we and they take plain answer. With an object it can mean replying, picking up a door or phone, or suiting a purpose (the plan answers the need). Without one it can lean toward accountability, as in answering for a mistake.

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