responsibility

/rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪləti/ (bre, ipa) · /rɪˌspɑːnsəˈbɪləti/ (ame, ipa) · /ri-ˌspän(t)-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē/ (ame, mw)

responsibility — noun

  • responsibilitysingular
  • responsibilitiesplural

1. something that you are expected to take care of as part of your job, role in lif

1.名詞B1
釋義

something that you are expected to take care of as part of your job, role in life, or particular situation

例句

Théo's main responsibility at the cafe is to open the shop every morning at six.

main responsibility + infinitive for core duty

Looking after her younger brother became Lara's responsibility after their mother started working night shifts.

同義詞
  • duty

    more about moral or legal obligation; 'responsibility' often implies personal ownership of a task

  • obligation

    stronger emphasis on being bound by a rule or promise; slightly more formal

  • task

    narrower — just a piece of work, without the sense of accountability

用法筆記

Often countable in this sense: 'She has two main responsibilities.' Uncountable when speaking in general: 'Responsibility for care of the elderly falls on the state.'

常見錯誤

❌I have a responsibility cleaning the kitchen every evening.
✅I have a responsibility to clean the kitchen every evening.
💡The structure 'responsibility + to-infinitive' is used, not 'responsibility + gerund'.
❌This is my responsibly.
✅This is my responsibility.
💡'Responsibility' is the noun; 'responsibly' is an adverb meaning 'in a responsible way'.

2. the position of being in charge of a particular group, area, or activity, with a

2.名詞B2
釋義

the position of being in charge of a particular group, area, or activity, with a duty to ensure things are done properly

例句

Diya was given responsibility for a team of twelve engineers at the new research centre.

given responsibility for + group

As senior ward nurse, Tamar holds full responsibility for the children's ward during the night shift.

同義詞
  • authority

    focuses on the power to make decisions, not the duty itself

  • control

    implies direct command; stronger and less formal than 'responsibility' in this sense

  • charge

    used in fixed phrases like 'in charge of'; more informal, less about formal position

用法筆記

Uncountable in this sense — you do not say 'responsibilities' when referring to the authority role itself. 'A position of responsibility' is a fixed expression.

常見錯誤

❌She was given many responsibilities over the sales team.
✅She was given responsibility over the sales team.
💡In the authority sense, 'responsibility' is uncountable; 'responsibilities' in the plural would mean separate duties (sense 1).

3. a duty to help, serve, or be loyal to someone in a higher position or to an orga

3.名詞B2
釋義

a duty to help, serve, or be loyal to someone in a higher position or to an organisation that you belong to

例句

As a social worker, Xiu has a clear responsibility to report any signs of danger to her supervisor.

have a responsibility to + infinitive

The Suntech chemical plant has a legal responsibility to ensure workers wear protective gloves and goggles.

同義詞
  • obligation

    slightly colder and more formal; often used in legal contexts

  • accountability

    stronger focus on having to explain your actions to someone

  • allegiance

    loyalty-based; more emotional than practical duty

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: sense 3 emphasises duty TO a person or institution (upward or outward), whereas sense 1 emphasises a task you personally own (not necessarily tied to a superior).

4. blame or accountability for a mistake, accident, or problem that has already hap

4.名詞B2
釋義

blame or accountability for a mistake, accident, or problem that has already happened

例句

The bus driver accepted full responsibility for the accident on the wet motorway.

accept responsibility for [negative event]

No one on the Gamma construction team would take responsibility for the error in the bridge budget report.

同義詞
  • blame

    simpler and more direct; 'blame' is about who caused it, while 'responsibility' here sounds more formal and accepting

  • fault

    used in phrases like 'it was my fault'; less formal than 'responsibility'

用法筆記

Usually follows verbs of admitting or denying: 'accept', 'take', 'claim', 'deny', 'admit', 'avoid', 'share'. The focus is on who is to blame, not on the task itself.

常見錯誤

❌The driver took responsibility for driving the bus.' (if no mistake happened)
✅Use sense 1 instead: 'The driver was given responsibility for driving the bus route.
💡'Take responsibility for' in this sense only applies to something negative that already happened.

5. the ability to make sensible, mature decisions and to act correctly without need

5.名詞C1
釋義

the ability to make sensible, mature decisions and to act correctly without needing to be supervised or reminded

例句

The teenager showed real responsibility by waking up early to study without anyone reminding her.

show responsibility by + gerund

Taipei high school student Stephanie saved part of her supermarket paycheck each month without reminders.

同義詞
  • maturity

    broader — includes emotional growth; responsibility in this sense is the behaviour that shows maturity

  • good sense

    informal; slightly narrower, focusing on practical wisdom rather than mature conduct

反義詞

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 6: sense 5 is about MATURE BEHAVIOUR (making good choices), while sense 6 is about TRUSTWORTHINESS (being someone others can rely on). Sense 5 often appears with verbs like 'show', 'demonstrate', 'learn'.

6. the quality of being reliable and honest, so that others can trust you

6.名詞C1
釋義

the quality of being reliable and honest, so that others can trust you

例句

Diya is known for her quiet responsibility — she always finishes every job she promises to do.

known for + possessive + responsibility

The school chose Mira for the scholarship because of her reputation for honesty and responsibility.

reputation for honesty and responsibility

同義詞
  • reliability

    very close; 'reliability' emphasises consistency, while 'responsibility' emphasises moral dependability

  • trustworthiness

    direct synonym; slightly more about honesty than about getting tasks done

  • integrity

    broader — includes honesty and strong moral principles in all areas of life

反義詞

用法筆記

This sense overlaps with 'reliability' and 'integrity'. Unlike sense 1, it is always uncountable and describes a general character trait rather than a specific task.