answered

IPA/ˈɑːn.sər/
KK[ˈænsɚd]IPA/ˈæn.sɚ/

answered — verb

  • answeredpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • answereds3rd person singular
  • answereding-ing form
  • answerededpast simple

1. to give a spoken, written, or practical reply when someone asks, writes, or requ

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveA1
Definition

to give a spoken, written, or practical reply when someone asks, writes, or requests something

Example

Erik answered the reporter's question after a long pause.

answer + question

Sofia answered my text while waiting at the bus stop.

Common collocations
  • answer a question
  • answer an email
  • answer with a smile
Synonyms
  • reply

    often points more directly to spoken or written words

  • respond

    slightly more formal and broader in tone

Antonyms
  • ignore

    suggests giving no reply at all

Grammar Patterns

answer a question

answer an email

answer with + noun

Usage Note

Often takes a direct object such as question, email, or letter. It can also describe a practical response, not only spoken words.

Common Mistakes

She answered to my email last night.
She answered my email last night.
For replies, answer usually takes the message directly without to.

2. to respond when a phone rings or someone knocks, usually by picking up or openin

2.verbtransitiveA2
Definition

to respond when a phone rings or someone knocks, usually by picking up or opening the door

Example

Ada answered the phone before the third ring ended.

answer the phone

The caretaker answered the door with wet hands from cleaning.

answer the door

Common collocations
  • answer the phone
  • answer the door
  • answer a late-night call
Synonyms
  • pick up

    common for phones, but not for doors

  • open

    only fits the door part of this sense

Antonyms
  • miss

    suggests failing to respond in time

Grammar Patterns

answer the phone

answer the door

answer a call

Usage Note

This sense is used for phones, doors, and similar signals that ask for immediate attention.

Common Mistakes

Please answer to the door.
Please answer the door.
For a knock, answer takes the door directly, not answer to.

3. to suit what a person or situation needs, and provide enough of what is required

3.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to suit what a person or situation needs, and provide enough of what is required

Example

The smaller room answered our needs for a short trip.

answer someone's needs

This low-cost laptop answered Darius's needs for online classes.

Common collocations
  • answer a need
  • answer urgent needs
  • answer local demand
Synonyms
  • suit

    focuses on being appropriate rather than fully satisfying

  • meet

    common with needs, demands, or requirements

Antonyms
  • fail

    shows that something does not provide what is needed

Grammar Patterns

answer a need

answer someone's needs

Usage Note

Common with needs, demands, or requirements. It focuses on being enough for a purpose.

4. to have the same features as the person or object people are trying to identify

4.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to have the same features as the person or object people are trying to identify from earlier details

Example

The man on the platform answered the description from security.

answer a description

That ring answered the jeweller's sketch from the police file.

Common collocations
  • answer a description
  • answer the police sketch
  • answer every detail
Synonyms
  • match

    the most direct neutral verb for fitting a description

  • fit

    often used when details line up reasonably well

Antonyms
  • differ

    shows that the details do not line up

Grammar Patterns

answer a description

answer the details given

Usage Note

Often used when police, buyers, or staff compare a person or thing with details already given.

5. to be known by a particular name or title when people call you that

5.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

to be known by a particular name or title when people call you that

Example

The old horse answered to Rusty even after years apart.

answer to + name

In the workshop, Christopher answered to the name Kit.

Common collocations
  • answer to a nickname
  • answer to a title
  • answer to the name
Synonyms
  • be known as

    neutral phrase for having a particular name or title

  • go by

    more informal for the name someone uses

Grammar Patterns

answer to a name

answer to a title

Usage Note

Usually appears in the pattern answer to + name or title. It is about what someone is called, not about giving a reply.

6. to accept blame or take responsibility for something that happened

6.verbintransitiveC1
Definition

to accept blame or take responsibility for something that happened

Example

The manager answered for the missing cash at the meeting.

answer for + problem

Under the contract, the builder answered for any safety failure.

Common collocations
  • answer for a mistake
  • answer for losses
  • answer for the damage
Synonyms
Antonyms
  • deny

    suggests refusing responsibility

Grammar Patterns

answer for a mistake

answer for the damage

Usage Note

Usually followed by for + noun. It often appears when blame, duty, or legal responsibility is involved.

answered — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

For verb/1, answer is the broad everyday choice when someone gives back words, writing, or even an action after a question or message. Reply is narrower and usually points more directly to spoken or written words, so it sounds less natural when the response is practical rather than verbal. Respond is more formal and common in work, news, or official settings. React is broader still and often describes an emotional or physical response, not a direct answer to a question. You answer a teacher's question, reply to an email, respond to customer complaints, and react to bad news. When you want the safest all-purpose verb, answer is usually the best fit.

answer ↗reply ↗respond ↗react ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • answer the door
  • answer the phone
  • have no answer

Prepositions

Etymology

Proto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The family of answer goes back to Old English andswaru, a noun for a reply. It was formed from parts linked to the ideas of 'against' and 'swear', so the earliest sense was a reply given back in a formal or sworn exchange. Over time the word widened from solemn replies to everyday speaking, writing, practical responses, and solutions. Answered is the past-tense and past-participle form built from that verb.