answer

Noun

• a nonverbal reaction
  • his answer to any problem was to get drunk
    
  • their answer was to sue me
    

• the principal pleading by the defendant in response to plaintiff's complaint; in criminal law it consists of the defendant's plea of `guilty' or `not guilty' (or nolo contendere); in civil law it must contain denials of all allegations in the plaintiff's complaint that the defendant hopes to controvert and it can contain affirmative defenses or counterclaims

• the speech act of replying to a question

• a statement that solves a problem or explains how to solve the problem
  • they were trying to find a peaceful solution
    
  • the answers were in the back of the book
    
  • he computed the result to four decimal places
    

• a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
  • I waited several days for his answer
    
  • he wrote replies to several of his critics
    

Verb

• react to a stimulus or command
  • The steering of my new car answers to the slightest touch
    

• be satisfactory for; meet the requirements of or serve the purpose of
  • This may answer her needs
    

• match or correspond
  • The drawing of the suspect answers to the description the victim gave
    

• 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
    

• be liable or accountable
  • She must answer for her actions
    

• give a defence or refutation of (a charge) or in (an argument)
  • The defendant answered to all the charges of the prosecution
    

• understand the meaning of
  • The question concerning the meaning of life cannot be answered
    

• give the correct answer or solution to
  • answer a question
    
  • answer the riddle
    

• respond to a signal
  • answer the door
    
  • answer the telephone
    

• react verbally
  • She didn't want to answer
    
  • answer the question
    
  • We answered that we would accept the invitation
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  solution , result , resolution , solvent , reply , response , suffice , do , serve , resolve , respond
• Antonyms: 
  question , inquiry , enquiry , query , interrogation