adj
responsible
rih-SPON-suh-buhl
adj
1
Having a duty to take care of something, or being accountable for its outcome.
"The babysitter is responsible for the children's safety."
"Who is responsible for approving this budget?"
2
Being the main cause of something, especially something wrong, and therefore able to be blamed.
"Investigators found that faulty wiring was responsible for the fire."
3
Reliable, sensible, and trustworthy in behavior.
"He's a responsible teenager who always calls if he'll be late."
How to Use Responsible
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIn charge of something, to blame for something, or simply dependable and sensible.
Common pairings
responsible for
hold someone responsible
a responsible adult
Word Forms
more responsible comparative, responsibles plural, most responsible superlative
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Etymology
From Middle French responsable, ultimately tied to Latin respondere, "to respond." The English spelling comes from an Old French variant, responsible.