Answer (Verb)
Meaning 1
React to a stimulus or command; "The steering of my new car answers to the slightest touch".
Classification
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting.
Examples
- The newly calibrated steering system answers to the driver's subtle inputs.
- Her obedience training allowed the dog to answer immediately to any command given by the trainer.
- The well-tuned controls answer smoothly to the pilot's deliberate actions.
- The elevator answers promptly to the call from any floor in the building.
- The upgraded navigation system answers instantly to voice commands.
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Meaning 2
Give the correct answer or solution to; "answer a question"; "answer the riddle".
Classification
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting.
Examples
- The student struggled to answer the math problem on the test.
- She proudly raised her hand to answer the teacher's question.
- After some thought, he finally managed to answer the riddle and unlock the treasure chest.
- The professor spent hours working to answer the complex question posed by her colleague.
- The code writer worked through the night to answer the bug that kept crashing the program.
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Meaning 3
Be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity; "A few words would answer"; "This car suits my purpose well"; "Will $100 do?"; "A `B' grade doesn't suffice to get me into medical school"; "Nothing else will serve".
Classification
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations.
Examples
- A small snack will answer to hold me until dinner.
- This microwave will answer for reheating leftovers.
- A quiet place to work will answer my needs perfectly.
- A daily walk will answer my exercise needs during winter.
- This coat should answer to keep me warm outside.
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Meaning 4
Be liable or accountable; "She must answer for her actions".
Classification
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations.
Examples
- He must answer to the committee for his mishandling of the company's finances.
- The former CEO will have to answer for the damage her leadership caused during the crisis.
- The politician's aide will answer for their role in the scandal that led to their resignation.
- The city's mayor will have to answer to the public for the inefficient handling of the emergency response.
- The company's leaders must answer for their failure to comply with environmental regulations.
Meaning 5
React verbally; "She didn't want to answer"; "answer the question"; "We answered that we would accept the invitation".
Classification
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing.
Examples
- She refused to answer his proposal directly over the phone and instead wanted to meet in person.
- When the teacher asked for volunteers, the student was too shy to answer.
- He was hesitant to answer her question about his past due to the emotional pain involved.
- If the doorbell rings, can you answer and take the packages from the delivery person.
- The company's customer service team answered our complaint and offered a full refund.
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Meaning 6
Understand the meaning of; "The question concerning the meaning of life cannot be answered".
Classification
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting.
Examples
- The lyrics of the song were open to interpretation and required individual listeners to answer their own meaning.
- The mystery surrounding the ancient text has puzzled scholars for centuries, and they still struggle to answer its meaning.
- Her poem was purposely vague, leaving readers to answer the message for themselves.
- The answer to the meaning of the phrase wasn't as straightforward as the students initially thought.
- Understanding the meaning of the artist's abstract painting required viewers to answer what the colors represented personally.
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Meaning 7
Match or correspond; "The drawing of the suspect answers to the description the victim gave".
Classification
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations.
Examples
- The blueprints of the new building answer the city's vision for a modern downtown area.
- The description of the missing person answers to the appearance of the individual brought in for questioning.
- The map answers the layout of the amusement park from many years ago.
- The characteristics of the new employee answer the qualifications listed in the job description.
- The design of the logo answers the overall brand identity of the company.
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Meaning 8
Give a defence or refutation of (a charge) or in (an argument); "The defendant answered to all the charges of the prosecution".
Classification
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing.
Examples
- The politician answered the journalist's questions by denying any involvement in the scandal.
- The defendant answered the charges of theft by presenting an alibi.
- She answered his argument by pointing out several flaws in his reasoning.
- The company answered the allegations of negligence by releasing a statement.
- He answered the accusations of dishonesty by providing evidence of his innocence.
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Meaning 9
Be satisfactory for; meet the requirements of or serve the purpose of; "This may answer her needs".
Classification
Verbs of eating and drinking.
Examples
- A part-time job may answer her financial needs.
- This solution will answer the company's current requirements.
- The new policy should answer the concerns of local residents.
- The vacation package might answer their interests and budget.
- This laptop should answer his needs for general use.
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Meaning 10
Respond to a signal; "answer the door"; "answer the telephone".
Classification
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting.
Examples
- I'll answer the door, you go and get a snack.
- Please answer the phone, I'm busy in the garden.
- Can you answer the door for me, I'm in the middle of something.
- I'm not going to answer the door, I don't want to talk to them.
- She went to answer the phone, hoping it was her friend calling back.