responsible

== English == === Etymology === From Middle French responsable, from Old French responsable, responsible, formed from the root of Latin responsus, from respondeō, respondēre. The spelling of the English word is taken from the Old French variant responsible. By surface analysis, response +‎ -ible. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ɹɪˈspɒn.sə.bəl/, [ɹɪˈspɒn.sə.bɫ̩] (General American, Atlantic Canada) IPA(key): /ɹɪˈspɑn.sə.bəl/, [ɹɪˈspɑn.sə.bɫ̩] (Canada, dialects of the US) IPA(key): /ɹɪˈspɒn.sə.bəl/, [ɹɪˈspɒn.sə.bɫ̩] (Australian) IPA(key): /ɹɪˈspɔn.sə.bəl/, [ɹɪˈspɔn.sə.bɫ̩] (New Zealand) IPA(key): /ɹəˈspɒn.sə.bəl/, [ɹəˈspɔ̟n.sə.bɫ̩] === Adjective === responsible (comparative more responsible, superlative most responsible) (postpositive, followed by "for") Having the duty of taking care of something; answerable for an act performed or for its consequences; accountable; amenable, especially legally or politically. (postpositive, followed by "for") Being a primary cause of a situation or action and thus able to be blamed or credited for it. (followed by "to") Answerable to (a superior). (of a job or position) Involving important duties; involving a degree of personal accountability on the part of the person concerned. Having good judgment in decision-making. Able to be trusted; reliable; trustworthy. Capable of rational conduct and thus morally accountable for one's behavior. ==== Usage notes ==== The meaning of the word changes to almost the opposite depending on whether it is used before or after a noun. For example: The powerful Russians who didn't oppose Putin's successful grab for absolute power and the normal Russians who didn't protest against the first persecutions of journalists long ago are equally responsible for the destruction of Russia's first democracy, i.e. the citizens responsible were not responsible citizens. ==== Antonyms ==== irresponsible ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Noun === responsible (plural responsibles) (archaic) The person who bears the responsibility for something. (theater) An actor taking on the lesser roles in repertory theatre. ==== Translations ==== === References === William Dwight Whitney, Benjamin Eli Smith, editors (1895–1910), “responsible”, in The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia: […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., →OCLC. “responsible”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.