Accountable Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐
accountable
[ษหkaสntษbษl ]
Definitions
in a professional setting
Liable to be called to account; answerable; responsible.
Synonyms
answerable, liable, obligated, responsible.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| accountable |
Used when someone is expected to justify their actions or decisions, especially in a professional or public setting.
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| responsible |
Used in general contexts to indicate someone has a duty to take care of something or someone, often emphasizing moral or practical duties.
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| answerable |
Often used in formal or legal settings to imply someone must respond or provide an explanation for their actions.
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| liable |
Used mainly in legal contexts to indicate someone is legally responsible for something, often with negative connotations.
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| obligated |
Indicates a duty or commitment to do something, often because of a rule, law, or moral principle.
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Examples of usage
- Employees should be accountable for their actions at work.
- Managers need to be accountable for the performance of their team.
in a social context
Willing to accept responsibility or to account for one's actions.
Synonyms
answerable, reliable, responsible, trustworthy.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| accountable |
Used when someone is required to explain their actions or decisions, often in a formal or official capacity.
|
| responsible |
Used when someone has a duty or obligation to take care of something or someone.
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| answerable |
Used when someone must justify or explain their actions to another person, typically in a context of authority or responsibility.
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| reliable |
Used to describe someone or something that can be depended upon to perform consistently and well.
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| trustworthy |
Used to describe someone who can be trusted to act honestly and dependably.
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Examples of usage
- In a healthy relationship, both partners should be accountable to each other.
- Being accountable in friendships helps build trust.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Psychology
- In behavioral psychology, accountability is crucial for motivating individuals to achieve their goals โ being answerable can enhance performance.
- Research shows that individuals who feel accountable are more likely to follow through on commitments, as the social pressure drives them.
- People tend to exhibit higher levels of self-control when they are held accountable, making better choices in both personal and professional settings.
Business
- In corporate environments, accountability cultures are linked to improved team performance, where members are more likely to take responsibility for their contributions.
- Many successful leaders emphasize accountability as a fundamental value, fostering trust and transparency among employees.
- Accountability in business also relates to ethical governance, where organizations have to answer to stakeholders about their actions and decisions.
Education
- In educational settings, accountability can refer to the responsibility of teachers and students to achieve learning outcomes together.
- Students who are taught accountability often take more ownership of their learning, positively impacting their academic success.
- Educational frameworks emphasize the importance of creating accountable environments where students feel responsible for their progress.
Cultural Perspectives
- Different cultures view accountability through various lenses; for example, some may emphasize collective responsibility over individual accountability.
- In tribal and community settings, accountability often extends to the group, where actions reflect on everyone involved, not just the individual.
- Legal systems around the world underscore the importance of accountability, ensuring that individuals can be held responsible for their actions within society.
Origin of 'accountable'
Main points about word origin
- The term 'accountable' comes from the Middle French 'acounter,' which means to count or to render an account.
- Its roots can be traced back to the Latin word 'computare,' which means to calculate or compute, linking responsibility with clarity in actions.
- It began to be used in English around the late 14th century, focusing on the idea of being answerable.
The word 'accountable' comes from the late Middle English word 'accounten' which means 'to count' or 'to calculate'. It evolved to 'accountable' in the 16th century, combining 'account' with the suffix '-able'. The concept of accountability has always been important in various aspects of life, from business to personal relationships.
See also: account, accountabilities, accountability, accountably, accountant, accounting, accounts, unaccountable.