Accountable: meaning, definitions and examples

📝

Add to dictionary

accountable

[əˈkaʊntəbəl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

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. The CEO is accountable to the board of directors for the company's performance. Teachers are accountable for the grades of their students.
responsible	Used in general contexts to indicate someone has a duty to take care of something or someone, often emphasizing moral or practical duties. Parents are responsible for their children's well-being. He is responsible for managing the project.
answerable	Often used in formal or legal settings to imply someone must respond or provide an explanation for their actions. He is answerable to the law for his actions. The manager is answerable to the company's shareholders.
liable	Used mainly in legal contexts to indicate someone is legally responsible for something, often with negative connotations. The company can be held liable for any damages caused by their product. You may be liable for the costs if you cancel the contract.
obligated	Indicates a duty or commitment to do something, often because of a rule, law, or moral principle. Employees are obligated to follow company policies. She felt obligated to help her friend in need.

Examples of usage

Employees should be accountable for their actions at work.
Managers need to be accountable for the performance of their team.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

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. The manager is accountable to the board of directors for the company's performance Public officials should be accountable to the voters
responsible	Used when someone has a duty or obligation to take care of something or someone. She is responsible for managing the team Parents are responsible for their children's welfare
answerable	Used when someone must justify or explain their actions to another person, typically in a context of authority or responsibility. The project lead is answerable to the CEO for any delays Soldiers are answerable to their commanding officers
reliable	Used to describe someone or something that can be depended upon to perform consistently and well. John is very reliable; he always completes his tasks on time This car is old, but it's very reliable
trustworthy	Used to describe someone who can be trusted to act honestly and dependably. She is a very trustworthy friend; you can tell her anything The data from this source is trustworthy

Examples of usage

In a healthy relationship, both partners should be accountable to each other.
Being accountable in friendships helps build trust.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

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.

Psychology

In behavioral psychology, accountability is crucial for motivating individuals to achieve their goals – 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.

Translations

Translations of the word "accountable" in other languages:

🇵🇹 responsável

🇮🇳 जिम्मेदार

🇩🇪 verantwortlich

🇮🇩 bertanggung jawab

🇺🇦 відповідальний

🇵🇱 odpowiedzialny

🇯🇵 責任がある (sekinin ga aru)

🇫🇷 responsable

🇪🇸 responsable

🇹🇷 sorumlu

🇰🇷 책임 있는 (chaegim inneun)

🇸🇦 مسؤول (mas'ūl)

🇨🇿 zodpovědný

🇸🇰 zodpovedný

🇨🇳 负责的 (fùzé de)

🇸🇮 odgovoren

🇮🇸 ábyrgur

🇰🇿 жауапты (zhauapty)

🇬🇪 პასუხისმგებელი (pasukhismgebeli)

🇦🇿 məsuliyyətli

🇲🇽 responsable

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,042 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.

...
9039 apical
9040 disregarded
9041 cutter
9042 accountable
9043 flooded
9044 sunny
9045 calmly
...