answer

Pronunciation: /ˈɑːnsə/

Definition of answer

1a thing that is said, written, or done as a reaction to a question, statement, or situation:he knocked and entered without waiting for an answer I hurried along the passage in answer to the doorbell’s ring
a thing written or said in reaction to a question in a test or quiz:write your answers on a postcard
the correct solution to a question in a test or quiz:the answer is 280°

2a solution to a problem or dilemma:the answer to poverty and unemployment is a properly funded range of services

3 [in singular] (answer to) a person or thing regarded as the equivalent to a better-known one from another place:the press called her Britain’s answer to Marilyn Monroe

1 [reporting verb] say or write something as a reaction to someone or something: [with direct speech]:‘Of course I can,’ she answered [with clause]:she answered that she would take nothing but the ring [with object]:she tried to answer his questions truthfully [no object]:Steve was about to answer, but Hazel spoke first
[with object] provide the required response to (a question in a test or quiz):answer the questions below for a chance to win a holiday
[no object] (answer back) respond impudently or disrespectfully to someone, especially when being criticized or told to do something: I’d usually talk him round, but never answer back [with object]:Mary resisted the temptation to answer her mother back

2 [with object] act in reaction to (a sound such as a telephone ringing or a knock or ring on a door):Digby answered the door [no object]:she rang Edward’s house, hoping the housekeeper would answer

3 [no object] (answer to) be responsible or report to (someone):I answer to the Assistant Commissioner of Specialist Operations

4 [with object] defend oneself against (a charge, accusation, or criticism):he said he would return to Spain to answer all charges
[no object] (answer to) be required to explain or justify oneself to (someone):you will have the police to answer to
[no object] (answer for) be responsible or to blame for:the dust mite has a lot to answer for, especially if you are asthmatic

5 [with object] be suitable for fulfilling (a need); satisfy:entrepreneurship is necessary to answer the needs of national and international markets

Phrases

answer the description of: correspond to a description, especially one of a suspect issued by the police: people reported seeing a man who answers the suspect’s description behaving suspiciously
the answer to someone's prayers: the thing that someone really wants:the opportunity for a commission in the army seemed an answer to their prayers
answer to (the name of): often humorous be called:an attractive woman answering to the name of Suzanne
have (or know) all the answers: informal be overconfident about one’s knowledge of something: it was his air of knowing all the answers which riled Mrs Farrar

Old English andswaru (noun), andswarian (verb), of Germanic origin; from a base shared by swear

Remember that answer has a w after the s, although it is not heard when you say the word.

she answered him slowly and wisely.

Definition of answer in the US English dictionary