answer
Other forms: answered; answers; answering
An answer is a response to a question, problem, or need. If you don’t get enough sleep, quitting your late-night TV habit might be the answer.
Answer, which can be a noun or a verb, comes from the Old English for swear, and the word originally meant an official, sworn response to a legal charge. We don’t have to be sworn in when we answer a question, however, we just need to reply. Answer also means "solution." Is the answer to poverty better education? If you meet a requirement, you answer it. If you are obligated to someone, you answer to him.
Definitions of answer
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a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation“I waited several days for his answer”
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the speech act of replying to a question
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Antonyms:
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enquiry, inquiry, interrogation, query, question
an instance of questioning
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types:
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Urim and Thummim
lots thrown to determine God's answers to yes-no questions
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defence, defense, refutation
the speech act of answering an attack on your assertions
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confutation
the speech act of refuting conclusively
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rebuttal
the speech act of refuting by offering a contrary contention or argument
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enquiry, inquiry, interrogation, query, question
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a statement that solves a problem or explains how to solve the problem“the answers were in the back of the book”
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synonyms:
resolution, result, solution, solvent
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types:
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denouement, resolution
the final resolution of the main complication of a literary or dramatic work
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type of:
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statement
a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc
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denouement, resolution
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react verbally“She didn't want to answer”“answer the question”“We answered that we would accept the invitation”
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types:
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call back
return or repeat a telephone call
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counter
speak in response
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field
answer adequately or successfully
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sass
answer back in an impudent or insolent manner
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come back, rejoin, repay, retort, return, riposte
answer back
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bridle
respond to the reins, as of horses
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give the correct answer or solution to“answer a question”“answer the riddle”
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type of:
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figure out, lick, puzzle out, solve, work, work out
find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of
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figure out, lick, puzzle out, solve, work, work out
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the principal pleading by the defendant in response to plaintiff's complaint; in criminal law it consists of the defendant's plea of `guilty' or `not guilty' (or nolo contendere); in civil law it must contain denials of all allegations in the plaintiff's complaint that the defendant hopes to controvert and it can contain affirmative defenses or counterclaims
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types:
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evasive answer
(law) an answer by a defendant that fails to admit or deny the allegations set forth in the complaint
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nolo contendere, non vult
(law) an answer of `no contest' by a defendant who does not admit guilt but that subjects him to conviction
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plea
(law) a defendant's answer by a factual matter (as distinguished from a demurrer)
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counterplea
a plaintiff's reply to a defendant's plea
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dilatory plea
a plea that delays the action without settling the cause of action; it can challenge the jurisdiction or claim disability of the defendant etc. (such defenses are usually raised in the defendant's answer)
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insanity plea, plea of insanity
(criminal law) a plea in which the defendant claims innocence due to mental incompetence at the time
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type of:
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pleading
(law) a statement in legal and logical form stating something on behalf of a party to a legal proceeding
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give a defence or refutation of (a charge) or in (an argument)
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a nonverbal reaction
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react to a stimulus or command
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respond to a signal
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understand the meaning of“The question concerning the meaning of life cannot be answered”
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synonyms:
resolve
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type of:
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figure out, lick, puzzle out, solve, work, work out
find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of
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figure out, lick, puzzle out, solve, work, work out
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be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity“A few words would answer”
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types:
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bridge over, keep going, tide over
suffice for a period between two points
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go a long way
suffice or be adequate for a while or to a certain extent
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function, serve
serve a purpose, role, or function
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measure up, qualify
prove capable or fit; meet requirements
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go around
be sufficient
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prelude
serve as a prelude or opening to
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act as
function as or act like
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type of:
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fulfil, fulfill, live up to, satisfy
meet the requirements or expectations of
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be satisfactory for; meet the requirements of or serve the purpose of
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be liable or accountable“She must answer for her actions”
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type of:
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be
have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun)
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be
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match or correspond
Pronunciation
US
/ˈænsər/
UK
/ˈɑnsə/
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