answer

1 of 2

noun

an·swer ˈan(t)-sər

Synonyms of answer next

: something spoken or written in reply to a question

His answer surprised us.

: a correct response

knows the answer

: a reply to a legal charge or suit : plea

also : defense

: something done in response or reaction

His only answer was to walk out.

: a solution of a problem

verb

answered; answering ˈan(t)s-riŋ

ˈan(t)-sə-

intransitive verb

: to speak or write in reply

think carefully before answering

: to be or make oneself responsible or accountable

answer for a debt

: to make amends : atone

He must answer for his crimes.

: to be in conformity or correspondence

She answered to the description.

: to act in response to an action performed elsewhere or by another

The home team scored first but the visitors answered quickly.

: to be adequate : serve

an old bucket answered for a sink

The school had to answer for a town hall.

transitive verb

: to speak or write in reply to

answer a question

answer me

: to say or write by way of reply

answer yes or no

: to reply to in rebuttal, justification, or explanation

answer an accusation

: to correspond to

answers the description

: to be adequate or usable for : fulfill

answer a need

: to act in response to

answered the call to arms

: to offer a solution for

especially : solve

answer a riddle

obsolete : to atone for

answerer

ˈan(t)-sər-ər

noun

Choose the Right Synonym for answer

answer, response, reply, rejoinder, retort mean something spoken, written, or done in return.

answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need.

had answers to all their questions

response may imply a quick or spontaneous reaction to a person or thing that serves as a stimulus.

a response to the call for recruits

reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised.

a point-by-point reply to the accusation

rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection.

a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument

retort implies a reaction to an implicit or explicit charge, criticism, or attack which contains a countercharge or counterattack.

she made a cutting retort to her critics

Examples of answer in a Sentence

Noun I asked him a simple question and he gave me a long and confusing answer. I didn't believe her answer. They wouldn't give me a straight answer to my question. I didn't know the right answer. That is the wrong answer. Do you know the answer to this question? He knew the answers to only 3 of the 10 questions. The answers are listed in the back of the book. Verb She answered all my questions. He answered only three of the test questions correctly. When the police asked him his name, he refused to answer. When I ask you a question I expect you to answer me! Answer me this: where have you put my money? I sent her a letter asking for her help, but she never answered. The phone rang repeatedly, but no one answered. Would somebody please answer the phone? I knocked on the door but no one answered. No one answered the door.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Noun

The short answer to this is yes, cold showers can be good for you. —

Audrey Noble, Vogue, 23 Nov. 2024 The answer is that immigrants and minorities, particularly working-class ones, are unhappy with the economy and much else. —

Basel Touchan, TIME, 22 Nov. 2024

Verb

Nix, a captain and budding leader, on Wednesday took a long, deep breath before answering a question about Forsyth and his demeanor since Sunday. —

Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 13 Nov. 2024 Houston still added a field goal, increasing its lead to 10-0. 4d ago / 5:46 PM PST Copied Share Lions answer touchdown with three-and-out Rohan Nadkarni Rough offensive start for the Lions so far. —

Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 11 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for answer

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Old English andswaru (akin to Old Norse andsvar answer); akin to Old English and- against, swerian to swear — more at ante-

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of answer was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Answer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/answer. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

answer

1 of 2 noun

an·swer ˈan(t)-sər

: something spoken or written in reply especially to a question

: a correct response

knew the answer

: a solution of a problem

: something said or done in response

answer

2 of 2 verb

answered; answering ˈan(t)s-(ə-)riŋ

: to speak or write in reply

: to take responsibility for something

answered for the children's safety

: to make amends

must answer for their crime

: conform sense 2, correspond

answered to the description

: to be what is needed for : serve

answered the purpose

: to find a solution for

answer a riddle

answerer

ˈan(t)-sər-ər

noun

Legal Definition

answer

1 of 2 noun

an·swer

: the defendant's written response to the plaintiff's complaint in a civil suit in which he or she may deny any of the plaintiff's allegations, offer any defenses, and make any counterclaims against the plaintiff, cross-claims against other defendants, or third-party claims against third parties otherwise not involved in the lawsuit

: a written response to a counterclaim, cross-claim, or third-party claim : reply see also responsive pleading at pleading sense 1

Note: In federal cases, answers are governed by Rule 12 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Under Rule 12, certain defenses (as lack of jurisdiction) may be made by motion rather than included in the answer.

answer

2 of 2 intransitive verb

: to serve or file an answer

: to make oneself responsible or accountable (as for the debt of another)

transitive verb

: to reply to in an answer

answer the complaint

: to make a defense against (as a charge or accusation)

answerable adjective

Last Updated: 28 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

victuals

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

answer

noun

verb

Synonyms

Examples of answer in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near answer

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Legal Definition