responsibility
UK /ɹɪˌspɒn.səˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/ · US /ɹɪˌspɑn.səˈbɪl.ə.ti/ noun
Forms responsibilities
- noun The state of being responsible, accountable, or answerable. [from 18th c.] “Responsibility is a heavy burden.”
- noun The state of being liable, culpable, or responsible for something in particular.
- noun A duty, obligation or liability for which someone is held accountable. “Why didn't you clean the house? That was your responsibility!”
- noun The obligation to carry forward an assigned task to a successful conclusion.
- noun The obligation for the proper custody, care, and safekeeping of property or funds entrusted to someone’s possession or supervision.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From responsible + -ity. Although the components are of French origin, the compound appears to have been formed in English. Later-attested French responsabilité is modeled on the English word, and Italian responsabilità is in turn modeled on the French.
Webster’s 1913
- noun The state of being responsible, accountable, or answerable, as for a trust, debt, or obligation.
- noun That for which anyone is responsible or accountable; as, the resonsibilities of power.
Etymology [Cf. F. responsabilité.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “responsibility”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details