answer
A1Neutral (used in all registers from formal to informal)
Definition
Meaning
A spoken or written reply to a question, request, or accusation; a solution to a problem.
A reaction or response to an action, situation, or stimulus; a thing or person that fulfills a need or purpose; a defendant's reply to the charges in a court of law.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a noun, it denotes both a linguistic response and a non-linguistic solution. As a verb, it can be transitive (answer a question) or intransitive (nobody answered). It can imply responsibility or accountability.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. In legal contexts, 'plead' is more common in AmE for a formal response to a charge, while 'answer' is the technical term in both. The phrase 'answer to the name of' (for a pet) is more BrE.
Connotations
Identical core connotations. 'Answer for' (be held responsible) is equally strong in both.
Frequency
Extremely high and identical frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
answer [sb]answer [sth]answer to [sb/sth]answer for [sth]answer that...answer with [sth]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “answer to the description”
- “answer back”
- “have a lot to answer for”
- “answer the call of nature”
- “answer to a higher authority”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
A formal reply to a client's inquiry or a solution to a business problem. 'We await your answer to our proposal.'
Academic
A proposed solution to a research question or a response in a debate. 'The study failed to provide a definitive answer.'
Everyday
A reply in conversation or a solution to a daily issue. 'I texted you but got no answer.'
Technical
In computing, a server's response to a client request. 'The API returned a 404 answer.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Could you answer the telephone, please?
- He must answer for his actions.
- The minister will answer questions from MPs.
American English
- Please answer the phone.
- He has to answer for what he did.
- The senator will answer questions from the press.
adverb
British English
- He nodded answeringly.
- (Note: 'Answeringly' is extremely rare and archaic in both varieties.)
American English
- She looked at him, answerless. (adjective, meaning 'without an answer')
adjective
British English
- The answer phone recorded a message.
- She gave an answer sheet to the examiner.
American English
- The answering machine recorded a message.
- She turned in her answer sheet to the proctor.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- What is the answer to this question?
- I called her, but she didn't answer.
- Please answer with 'yes' or 'no'.
- The company needs to find an answer to its financial problems.
- He answered the email immediately.
- Her answer surprised everyone in the room.
- The data does not provide a clear-cut answer to the research hypothesis.
- As CEO, you will have to answer to the board for these losses.
- His answer was a masterpiece of political evasion.
- The new policy is seen as the government's answer to rising public discontent.
- She answered the accusations with a meticulously prepared dossier of evidence.
- In philosophy, the question is often more important than the answer.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SWAN on a lake. The SWAN is calm and knows the ANSWER to the riddle of the deep water.
Conceptual Metaphor
ANSWERS ARE KEYS (that unlock problems), ANSWERS ARE DESTINATIONS (the end of a search), ANSWERS ARE OBJECTS (that can be given, found, or withheld).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'answer' for 'grade' or 'mark' (as in школьная оценка). Use 'mark' or 'grade'.
- Do not use 'answer' to mean 'report' or 'account' (as in отчёт). 'Answer for' implies blame/responsibility, not just description.
- The verb 'answer' does not require a preposition before a person (e.g., 'answer him', not 'answer to him', unless meaning 'be accountable to').
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I answered to his question.' Correct: 'I answered his question.'
- Incorrect: 'The answer of question 5.' Correct: 'The answer to question 5.'
- Incorrect: 'She didn't give me an answer yes or no.' Correct: 'She didn't give me a yes-or-no answer.'
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'answer' used correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is 'answer to a question'. The preposition 'to' is used to connect the answer with its subject (e.g., answer to a problem, answer to his letter).
'Answer' is broader and implies a response that solves, satisfies, or corresponds to something (a question, problem, need). 'Reply' is more narrowly focused on a verbal or written response to communication. All answers are replies, but not all replies are sufficient answers.
Yes, 'answer' is a very common noun ('give an answer') and a transitive/intransitive verb ('answer the door', 'nobody answered').
The phrase 'answer for' means to be held responsible or accountable for something, often something negative. E.g., 'Someone will have to answer for this mistake.'
Collections
Part of a collection
Common Questions
A1 · 31 words · Question words and phrases for basic communication.
Education
A2 · 50 words · School, studying and learning vocabulary.