Responsibility: meaning, definitions and examples

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responsibility

 

[ rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪlɪti ]

Context #1 | Noun

workplace

The state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or of having control over someone.

Synonyms

accountability, duty, obligation

Examples of usage

  • He had sole responsibility for the company's dealings.
  • She takes responsibility for overseeing the project.
Context #2 | Noun

social

The state or fact of being accountable or to blame for something.

Synonyms

accountability, blame, culpability

Examples of usage

  • The government must take responsibility for the current situation.
  • We all need to take responsibility for our actions.
Context #3 | Noun

legal

The state or fact of being legally accountable for something.

Synonyms

answerability, legal obligation, liability

Examples of usage

  • He denied responsibility for the theft.
  • The company accepts full responsibility for the error.

Translations

Translations of the word "responsibility" in other languages:

🇵🇹 responsabilidade

🇮🇳 जिम्मेदारी

🇩🇪 Verantwortung

🇮🇩 tanggung jawab

🇺🇦 відповідальність

🇵🇱 odpowiedzialność

🇯🇵 責任 (せきにん)

🇫🇷 responsabilité

🇪🇸 responsabilidad

🇹🇷 sorumluluk

🇰🇷 책임 (chaegim)

🇸🇦 مسؤولية

🇨🇿 odpovědnost

🇸🇰 zodpovednosť

🇨🇳 责任 (zérèn)

🇸🇮 odgovornost

🇮🇸 ábyrgð

🇰🇿 жауапкершілік

🇬🇪 პასუხისმგებლობა

🇦🇿 məsuliyyət

🇲🇽 responsabilidad

Etymology

The word 'responsibility' has its roots in the Latin word 'responsus', which means 'answerable'. The concept of responsibility has evolved over time to encompass notions of duty, accountability, and control. In the legal sense, responsibility refers to the state of being accountable for one's actions or decisions. Throughout history, societies have grappled with the question of where responsibility lies and how it should be enforced. Today, the idea of responsibility is a fundamental aspect of ethical, legal, and social frameworks.

See also: responsible, unresponsiveness.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,122, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.