responsible Definition
- 1having an obligation to do something, or having control over or care for someone, as part of one's job or role
- 2being the primary cause of something and therefore able to be blamed or credited for it
Using responsible: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "responsible" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
As a teacher, you are responsible for your students' safety.
Example
The company is responsible for providing its employees with proper training.
Example
He was held responsible for the accident.
Example
I am responsible for cooking dinner tonight.
responsible Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for responsible
Antonyms for responsible
Idioms Using responsible
Example
My wife holds the purse strings in our household.
Example
He took the rap for his friend's mistake.
Example
He tried to pass the buck to his assistant, but we knew he was responsible.
Phrases with responsible
to blame someone for something that has happened
Example
The company was held responsible for the oil spill.
to accept that you are responsible for something that has happened
Example
He took responsibility for his mistake and apologized.
to have control over or care for someone or something
Example
She is responsible for managing the project.
Origins of responsible
from Latin 'responsabilis', from 'responsum', meaning 'answerable'
Summary: responsible in Brief
The term 'responsible' [riˈspɒnsəbl] denotes a sense of obligation or control over someone or something. It can refer to being accountable for a task or action, as in 'As a teacher, you are responsible for your students' safety.' Alternatively, it can indicate being the primary cause of something, as in 'He was held responsible for the accident.' 'Responsible' extends into phrases like 'hold someone responsible,' and idioms like 'take the rap,' denoting accepting blame or punishment.
