English noun: answer | |||
1. | answer (communication) a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation | ||
Samples | I waited several days for his answer. He wrote replies to several of his critics. | ||
Synonyms | reply, response | ||
Broader (hypernym) | statement | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | feedback, rescript | ||
2. | answer (communication) a statement that solves a problem or explains how to solve the problem | ||
Samples | 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. | ||
Synonyms | resolution, result, solution, solvent | ||
Broader (hypernym) | statement | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | denouement | ||
3. | answer (communication) the speech act of replying to a question | ||
Broader (hypernym) | reply, response | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | defence, defense, refutation, Urim and Thummim | ||
Antonyms | enquiry, query, question, inquiry, interrogation | ||
4. | answer (communication) 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 | ||
Broader (hypernym) | pleading | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | evasive answer, nolo contendere, non vult, plea | ||
Domain category | jurisprudence, law | ||
5. | answer (act) a nonverbal reaction | ||
Samples | His answer to any problem was to get drunk. Their answer was to sue me. | ||
Broader (hypernym) | reaction, response | ||
English verb: answer | |||
1. | answer (communication) react verbally | ||
Samples | She didn't want to answer. Answer the question. We answered that we would accept the invitation. | ||
Examples | They answer that there was a traffic accident | ||
Synonyms | reply, respond | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s. Somebody ----s somebody. Somebody ----s that CLAUSE. Somebody ----s to somebody | ||
Broader (hypernym) | say, state, tell | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | bridle, call back, come back, counter, field, rejoin, repay, retort, return, riposte, sass | ||
2. | answer (cognition) respond to a signal | ||
Samples | Answer the door. Answer the telephone. | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | react, respond | ||
3. | answer (cognition) give the correct answer or solution to | ||
Samples | Answer a question. Answer the riddle. | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | figure out, lick, puzzle out, solve, work, work out | ||
4. | answer (cognition) understand the meaning of | ||
Samples | The question concerning the meaning of life cannot be answered. | ||
Synonyms | resolve | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | figure out, lick, puzzle out, solve, work, work out | ||
5. | answer (communication) give a defence or refutation of (a charge) or in (an argument) | ||
Samples | The defendant answered to all the charges of the prosecution. | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | rebut, refute | ||
6. | answer (stative) be liable or accountable | ||
Samples | She must answer for her actions. | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s PP | ||
Broader (hypernym) | be | ||
7. | answer (stative) be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity | ||
Samples | 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. | ||
Synonyms | do, serve, suffice | ||
Pattern of use | Something ----s | ||
Broader (hypernym) | fulfil, fulfill, live up to, satisfy | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | bridge over, function, go a long way, go around, keep going, measure up, qualify, serve, tide over | ||
8. | answer (stative) match or correspond | ||
Samples | The drawing of the suspect answers to the description the victim gave. | ||
Pattern of use | Something is ----ing PP. Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | agree, check, correspond, fit, gibe, jibe, match, tally | ||
9. | answer (consumption) be satisfactory for; meet the requirements of or serve the purpose of | ||
Samples | This may answer her needs. | ||
Pattern of use | Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | fill, fulfil, fulfill, meet, satisfy | ||
10. | answer (cognition) react to a stimulus or command | ||
Samples | The steering of my new car answers to the slightest touch. | ||
Pattern of use | Something ----s. Something is ----ing PP | ||
Broader (hypernym) | react, respond | ||