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Accountable - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Accountable means being responsible for your actions or decisions and being ready to explain or answer for them. It often involves taking ownership of outcomes, whether good or bad.

accountable

/əˈkaʊn.t̬ə.bəl/ /əˈkaʊn.tə.bəl/

Definition:

Responsible for actions or decisions and expected to explain them when required.

Synonyms:

responsible, answerable, liable

Part of Speech:

adjective

Antonyms:

unaccountable, irresponsible

Common Collocations:

hold accountable, accountable for, accountable to, fully accountable

Derivatives:

accountability, accountably

Usage Tips:

Use "accountable" when someone must justify actions or decisions, often in formal or professional contexts.

Common Phrases:

hold someone accountable, be held accountable, accountable to the public

Etymology:

From Old French "acontable," meaning "answerable," derived from Latin "computare" (to calculate).

Examples:

  • 1. Managers are accountable for their team's performance.
  • 2. The government must be accountable to its citizens.
  • 3. She was held accountable for the project's failure.
  • 4. Parents are accountable for their children's safety.

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