responsible

/ris'pɔnsəbl/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
responsible

A responsible student always completes her homework on time.

Definition
  1. Adjective:
    • Having a duty to deal with something or having control over someone: Being the person who must ensure that a particular task or duty is performed correctly or who is in charge of someone or something.
    • Being the primary cause of an event or situation: Being the agent or source that makes something happen.
    • Capable of being trusted to behave well, make good judgments, or be held accountable: Having the maturity, reliability, or moral soundness to be given duties or trust.
Examples of Usage
  • Adjective:
    • Parents are responsible for their children's safety. (Parents have the duty to ensure their children are safe.)
    • The investigation found the faulty wiring was responsible for the fire. (The faulty wiring was the cause of the fire.)
    • She is a very responsible employee who always meets her deadlines. (She is a trustworthy and reliable employee.)
Advanced Usage
  • "to be responsible to someone/something": To have a duty to report to or be controlled by a higher authority.
    • The committee is responsible to the board of directors. (The committee must answer to the board of directors.)
  • Financially responsible: Having an acceptable credit rating or being trustworthy in financial matters.
    • Only responsible borrowers with good credit history qualify for the loan.
Variants and Related Words
  • Responsibility (n): The state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or of being accountable.
    • With great power comes great responsibility.
  • Responsibly (adv): In a sensible or trustworthy manner.
    • He promised to act responsibly with the information.
Synonyms
  • Accountable: Required or expected to justify actions or decisions.
  • Liable: Legally responsible for something.
  • Trustworthy: Able to be relied on as honest or truthful.
  • Dependable: Trustworthy and reliable.
Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)
  • Hold responsible: To consider someone accountable for something.
    • The company will be held responsible for the environmental damage.
  • Make responsible for: To give someone the duty or control over something.
    • They made her responsible for organizing the event.
Related Idioms
  • The buck stops here: A phrase indicating that the speaker accepts ultimate responsibility and will not pass it on to someone else.
    • As the manager, I say the buck stops here for this decision.
  • Carry the can (for something): To accept the blame or responsibility for something, especially when it is not your fault.
    • He had to carry the can for his team's failure.
responsible

A responsible student always completes her homework on time.

Adjective
  1. having an acceptable credit rating
    • a responsible borrower
  2. being the agent or cause
    • determined who was the responsible party
    • termites were responsible for the damage
  3. worthy of or requiring responsibility or trust; or held accountable
    • a responsible adult
    • responsible journalism
    • a responsible position
    • the captain is responsible for the ship's safety
    • the cabinet is responsible to the parliament