an·swer
(ăn′sər)n.
1.
a. A spoken or written reply, as to a question.
b. A correct reply.
2.
a. A solution, as to a problem.
b. A correct solution.
3. An act in response or retaliation: Our only possible answer was to sue.
4. Something markedly similar to another of the same class: cable TV's answer to the commercial networks' sportscasts.
5. Law A defendant's response to the allegations against him or her.
v. an·swered, an·swer·ing, an·swers
v.intr.
1. To speak or write as a return, as to a question.
2. To act in response: Their team scored, but our team answered with a quick goal.
3. To be liable or accountable: You must answer for your actions to your supervisor.
4. To serve the purpose; suffice: "Often I do use three words where one would answer" (Mark Twain).
5. To correspond; match: I found a dog answering to that description.
v.tr.
1.
a. To speak or write in response to: answer a question.
b. To say or write in reply: He answered that he was unable to join us.
c. To argue in defense of oneself against (an accusation or charge).
2. To act in response to: The police answered the call for help. The soldiers answered the attack.
3. To be sufficient for (a need, for instance); fulfill: "My fortune has answered my desires" (Izaak Walton).
4. To conform or correspond to: The suspect answers the description given by the police.
Synonyms: answer, respond, reply, retort1
These verbs relate to action taken in return to a stimulus. Answer, respond, and reply, the most general, all mean to speak, write, or act in response: Please answer my question. Did you expect the president to respond personally to your letter? The opposing team scored three runs; the home team replied with two of their own. Respond also denotes a reaction, either voluntary (A bystander responded to the victim's need for help) or involuntary (She responded in spite of herself to the antics of the puppy). To retort is to answer verbally in a quick, caustic, or witty manner: She won the debate by retorting sharply to her opponent's questions. See Also Synonyms at satisfy.
These verbs relate to action taken in return to a stimulus. Answer, respond, and reply, the most general, all mean to speak, write, or act in response: Please answer my question. Did you expect the president to respond personally to your letter? The opposing team scored three runs; the home team replied with two of their own. Respond also denotes a reaction, either voluntary (A bystander responded to the victim's need for help) or involuntary (She responded in spite of herself to the antics of the puppy). To retort is to answer verbally in a quick, caustic, or witty manner: She won the debate by retorting sharply to her opponent's questions. See Also Synonyms at satisfy.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
| Adj. | 1. |  answering - replying; "an answering glance"; "an answering smile"responsive - readily reacting or replying to people or events or stimuli; showing emotion; "children are often the quickest and most responsive members of the audience" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
Translations
answering
[ˈɑːnsərɪŋ] CPD answering machine N → contestador m (automático)answering service N (live) → servicio m telefónico de contestación; (with answerphone) → servicio m de contestador automático
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005