- (postpositive) usually followed by for:
having control or authority (over) - (postpositive) followed by to:
being accountable for one's actions and decisions (to): to be responsible to one's commanding officer (of a position, duty, etc) involving decision and accountability - (often followed by for)
being the agent or cause (of some action): to be responsible for a mistake able to take rational decisions without supervision; accountable for one's own actions able to meet financial obligations; of sound credit
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
re•spon•si•ble /rɪˈspɑnsəbəl/USA pronunciation
adj.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025- accountable, as for something within one's power:[be + ~ + for]The children are responsible for setting the table.
- involving responsibility:a responsible position.
- able to be given the blame or credit for being the source of something:[be + ~ + for]Who is responsible for this mess?
- having a capacity for moral decisions:[be + ~]The defendant is insane and not responsible for his actions.
- reliable or dependable;
trustworthy:a mature, responsible young adult.
re•spon•si•ble
(ri spon′sə bəl),USA pronunciation adj.
re•spon′si•ble•ness, n.
re•spon′si•bly, adv.
- answerable or accountable, as for something within one's power, control, or management (often fol. by to or for):He is responsible to the president for his decisions.
- involving accountability or responsibility:a responsible position.
- chargeable with being the author, cause, or occasion of something (usually fol. by for):Termites were responsible for the damage.
- having a capacity for moral decisions and therefore accountable;
capable of rational thought or action:The defendant is not responsible for his actions. - able to discharge obligations or pay debts.
- reliable or dependable, as in meeting debts, conducting business dealings, etc.
- Government(of a government, member of a government, government agency, or the like) answerable to or serving at the discretion of an elected legislature or the electorate.
- Latin respōns(us) (see response) + -ible
- 1590–1600
re•spon′si•bly, adv.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged liable.
- 4.See corresponding entry in Unabridged competent.
- 5.See corresponding entry in Unabridged solvent.
- 6.See corresponding entry in Unabridged honest, capable, reliable, trustworthy.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
'responsible person' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):