answer
/ˈænsɚ/
Reviewed on
Also a noun
Meaning
To speak, write, or act in response to a question, request, or letter.
He answered the reporter's question without any hesitation.
Why haven't you answered my email yet?
To respond to a call, knock, or signal by picking up a phone or opening a door.
She answered the front door holding a cup of coffee.
Can someone please answer the phone while I finish this report?
To match or correspond to a description, standard, or requirement.
The suspect answers the description given by multiple witnesses.
Does this software really answer your current business needs?
How it's used
When this means “respond to a question or person”
- answer the question
“answered it.”
She answered the question immediately.
When this means “match a description”
- answer the description
“answers it.”
The car answers the description of the stolen vehicle.
Collocations
- answer a question
- answer an email
- answer the phone
- answer the door
Antonyms
Idioms
answer to
to be accountable or subordinate to someone
In this department, everyone answers directly to the director.
Meaning
A spoken or written response to a question, request, or greeting.
Her honest answer surprised everyone in the conference room.
Are there any clear answers to these complex inquiries?
A solution to a problem or the correct response to a puzzle or test question.
Investing in renewable energy is only part of the answer.
Did you get the right answers on the biology exam?
Collocations
- give an answer
- straight answer
- correct answer
- simple answer
Antonyms
Idioms
answer for
to be held responsible for something bad
The manager will have to answer for these budget errors.
not take no for an answer
to insist on getting what one wants despite refusals
She was determined to get funding and would not take no for an answer.