answered
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
to give a spoken, written, or practical reply when someone asks, writes, or requests something
Erik answered the reporter's question after a long pause.
answer + question
Sofia answered my text while waiting at the bus stop.
The nurse answered the family's concerns in plain language.
Zuri answered with a smile when the children thanked her.
- ignore
suggests giving no reply at all
文法句型
answer a question
answer an email
answer with + noun
用法筆記
Often takes a direct object such as question, email, or letter. It can also describe a practical response, not only spoken words.
常見錯誤
2. to respond when a phone rings or someone knocks, usually by picking up or openin
to respond when a phone rings or someone knocks, usually by picking up or opening the door
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
Linh answered her mobile during the long train delay.
No one answered the office line after six o'clock.
- miss
suggests failing to respond in time
文法句型
answer the phone
answer the door
answer a call
用法筆記
This sense is used for phones, doors, and similar signals that ask for immediate attention.
常見錯誤
3. to suit what a person or situation needs, and provide enough of what is required
to suit what a person or situation needs, and provide enough of what is required
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.
The grant answered the village's need for clean water.
A simple map answered their need to find the clinic.
- fail
shows that something does not provide what is needed
文法句型
answer a need
answer someone's needs
用法筆記
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
to have the same features as the person or object people are trying to identify from earlier details
The man on the platform answered the description from security.
answer a description
That ring answered the jeweller's sketch from the police file.
The visitor answered the photo shown at the front desk.
This van answered every detail Mina wrote in her ad.
- differ
shows that the details do not line up
文法句型
answer a description
answer the details given
用法筆記
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
to be known by a particular name or title when people call you that
The old horse answered to Rusty even after years apart.
answer to + name
In the workshop, Christopher answered to the name Kit.
At school, the little boy answered to his full name.
Around the estate, the cook answered to the title Aunt Mei.
- be known as
neutral phrase for having a particular name or title
- go by
more informal for the name someone uses
文法句型
answer to a name
answer to a title
用法筆記
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
to accept blame or take responsibility for something that happened
The manager answered for the missing cash at the meeting.
answer for + problem
Under the contract, the builder answered for any safety failure.
The minister answered for the mistake before the whole assembly.
Parents cannot answer for every choice their teenagers make.
- account for
often means explain or take responsibility in a formal setting
- take the blame
stresses openly accepting fault
- deny
suggests refusing responsibility
文法句型
answer for a mistake
answer for the damage
用法筆記
Usually followed by for + noun. It often appears when blame, duty, or legal responsibility is involved.
answered — noun
1. a spoken, written, or practical reply given after a question, message, or reques
a spoken, written, or practical reply given after a question, message, or request
We finally received an answer to our complaint last Friday.
answer to + noun
Her answer to the interview question was brief but clear.
The customer grew angry because the company gave no answer.
No answer came from the embassy for three weeks.
- silence
shows that no reply came
文法句型
an answer to a question
give an answer
用法筆記
Often followed by to when you name what the reply is for, as in an answer to a question.
2. something that deals successfully with a problem or helps a difficult situation
something that deals successfully with a problem or helps a difficult situation stop
Fresh air was not the answer to Leo's constant cough.
the answer to + problem
The team found an answer to the shipping delay.
More homework is not always the answer to poor reading skills.
No one had an easy answer to the parking problem.
- problem
the difficulty that still remains unsolved
文法句型
the answer to a problem
find an answer
用法筆記
Often followed by to when naming the problem, as in the answer to traffic delays.