Definitions
- Referring to the responsibility of an individual or organization to take ownership of their actions and decisions. - Talking about the obligation to report, explain, and justify one's actions to others. - Describing the consequences that follow from failing to meet expectations or standards.
- Referring to the obligation of an individual or organization to provide an explanation or response to questions or concerns. - Talking about the responsibility to be transparent and open about one's actions and decisions. - Describing the expectation to be accessible and responsive to feedback or criticism.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words refer to the responsibility of an individual or organization to take ownership of their actions and decisions.
- 2Both words imply a sense of obligation to report, explain, and justify one's actions to others.
- 3Both words suggest consequences for failing to meet expectations or standards.
What is the difference?
- 1Usage: Accountability is more commonly used than answerability in everyday language.
- 2Focus: Accountability emphasizes taking ownership and responsibility for one's actions and decisions, while answerability focuses on being accessible and responsive to questions and concerns.
- 3Scope: Accountability can refer to a broader range of responsibilities, including financial, legal, and ethical obligations, while answerability is more specific to providing explanations or responses to questions.
- 4Connotation: Accountability is often associated with a formal or professional context, while answerability can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
Remember this!
Accountability and answerability are synonyms that refer to the responsibility of an individual or organization to take ownership of their actions and decisions and to report, explain, and justify them to others. However, accountability emphasizes taking ownership and responsibility, while answerability focuses on being accessible and responsive to questions and concerns.
