easy
Leah is responsible for feeding the class fish.
What does Responsible mean?
Responsible means having a duty, being accountable, or acting reliably and carefully.
Dictionary definition
Having a duty to care for, manage, or answer for someone or something; being the cause of a result; or showing the good judgment and reliability needed to be trusted.
Example sentences
Responsible in a sentence
medium
The loose wire was responsible for the flickering light.
hard
A responsible researcher checks the evidence before sharing a claim.
Writing practice
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Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Responsible
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What can responsible mean?
Responsible can describe duty and accountability or identify what caused something.
Practice 2
What does responsible mean in 'The loose wire was responsible for the flickering light'?
Responsible for can identify the cause of a result.
Practice 3
Which word is the direct opposite of responsible behavior?
Irresponsible behavior lacks the care or judgment expected in the situation.
Practice complete
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You completed 3 questions.
Pronunciation coach
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Responsible
Voice settings
Sounds like
ri · spon · suh · bul · strongest beat: spon
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordResponsible.
Partadjective.
MeaningResponsible means having a duty, being accountable, or acting reliably and carefully.
ExampleExample: Leah is responsible for feeding the class fish.
Word breakdown
4 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- ri · spon · suh · bul
- Strongest beat
- spon
- Ending
- bul
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on spon.
Your turn
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Synonyms
Words like Responsible
accountableUse when someone must answer for a duty, action, or result.
dependableUse for someone who can be relied on; it does not mean being the cause of something.
reliableUse for consistent, trustworthy performance or behavior.
Antonyms
Opposite words
irresponsibleThe direct opposite for behavior that lacks proper care or judgment.
unaccountableA contrast when someone is not required to answer for a decision or result.
carelessA contextual contrast for behavior that does not show enough care.
Synonym practice
Want to practice responsible synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "The responsible student returned the book," then compare close word choices. Practice responsible synonyms.
Word family
Responsible word family
Base word
responsible
adverb
responsibly
In a careful, accountable, or reliable way.
noun
responsibility
A duty, or the state of being accountable.
adjective
irresponsible
Not showing the care or judgment that is needed.
Related words
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Student support
Understand Responsible
Hint for students
Check whether the sentence is about a duty, the cause of a result, or someone showing reliable judgment.
Common mix-up
Responsible does not always mean well behaved. In responsible for the delay, it identifies the cause; in responsible for a task, it identifies a duty.
Try it in class or at home
Students label examples duty, cause, or character, then rewrite one sentence so responsible carries a different sense without changing the word.
Teacher prompt
Compare 'Mina is responsible for the supplies' with 'The storm was responsible for the outage.' Ask whether responsible names a duty, a cause, or reliable behavior.
Learning activities
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