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Search results for 'answer':

answer noun 1 something said or done in response to a question, request, letter, particular situation, etc • His answer to his sacking was to hit the bottle. 2 (the answer) a the solution • Winning the lottery would be the answer to all our problems; b the solution to a mathematical problem. verb (answered, answering) 1 tr & intr to make a spoken or written reply to something or someone • answered the letter • answered quietly. 2 to react or respond to something (especially a doorbell, the telephone, someone calling one's name, etc). 3 a to solve (especially a maths problem); b to write in response to (an exam question); c to offer a reply as the correct solution to (any question or problem). 4 intrans to retaliate • The UN answered with their own heavy artillery fire. 5 to put up a defence to or offer an explanation for something • answered the charges of alleged corruption. 6 a to suit • A better hammer would answer her purpose; b to fulfil • A bigger house would answer the needs of this growing family. answer in the negative or positive to say 'No' or 'Yes'. answer the description of something to match or be the same as it.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon andswaru.

answer back to reply rudely, especially to someone supposedly in authority.

answer for something a to be punished for it; b to be liable for (one's own actions, etc); c to speak up on behalf of someone else.

answer to (a name) to respond to it; to be called ... • The cat answers to Poppy.

answer to someone to have to account to them.

answer with something to give (a signal) in response to something, rather than giving a conventional reply • answered with a huge smile.