an·swer
ˈan(t)-sər 
1
a
: something spoken or written in reply to a question
His answer surprised us.
b
: a correct response
knows the answer
3
: something done in response or reaction
His only answer was to walk out.
4
: a solution of a problem
More money is not the answer.
5
: one that imitates, matches, or corresponds to another
The show is television's answer to the newsmagazines.
answered; answering
ˈan(t)s-riŋ
ˈan(t)-sə-
1
: to speak or write in reply
think carefully before answering
2
3
: to be in conformity or correspondence
She answered to the description.
4
: to act in response to an action performed elsewhere or by another
The home team scored first but the visitors answered quickly.
5
: to be adequate : serve
an old bucket answered for a sink
The school had to answer for a town hall.
1
a
: to speak or write in reply to
answer a question
answer me
b
: to say or write by way of reply
answer yes or no
2
: to reply to in rebuttal, justification, or explanation
answer an accusation
3
a
: to correspond to
answers the description
b
: to be adequate or usable for : fulfill
answer a need
4
: to act in response to
answered the call to arms
5
: to offer a solution for
6
obsolete
: to atone for
Synonyms
Examples of answer in a Sentence
Noun
I asked him a simple question and he gave me a long and confusing answer.
I didn't believe her answer.
They wouldn't give me a straight answer to my question.
I didn't know the right answer.
That is the wrong answer.
Do you know the answer to this question?
He knew the answers to only 3 of the 10 questions.
The answers are listed in the back of the book.
Verb
She answered all my questions.
He answered only three of the test questions correctly.
When the police asked him his name, he refused to answer.
When I ask you a question I expect you to answer me!
Answer me this: where have you put my money?
I sent her a letter asking for her help, but she never answered.
The phone rang repeatedly, but no one answered.
Would somebody please answer the phone?
I knocked on the door but no one answered.
No one answered the door.
Recent Examples on the Web
Michael Nowels, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
In the hours that followed, as Alexis and Diamond Cooley sat with their baby’s body, the search for answers about what took his life was supposed to begin.
—Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 11 Nov. 2024
Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 13 Nov. 2024
Houston still added a field goal, increasing its lead to 10-0.
4d ago / 5:46 PM PST
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Lions answer touchdown with three-and-out
Rohan Nadkarni
Rough offensive start for the Lions so far.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 11 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for answer 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Noun
When Loera went down, Montoya searched for new answers in the midfield and found a trio that worked in Tess Boade, Kiki Pickett and Dorian Bailey, none of whom had a wealth of experience in a midfield role.
—Michael Nowels, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
In the hours that followed, as Alexis and Diamond Cooley sat with their baby’s body, the search for answers about what took his life was supposed to begin.
—Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 11 Nov. 2024
Verb
Nix, a captain and budding leader, on Wednesday took a long, deep breath before answering a question about Forsyth and his demeanor since Sunday.
—Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 13 Nov. 2024
Houston still added a field goal, increasing its lead to 10-0.
4d ago / 5:46 PM PST
Copied
Share
Lions answer touchdown with three-and-out
Rohan Nadkarni
Rough offensive start for the Lions so far.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 11 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for answer
Dictionary Entries Near answer
Cite this Entry
“Answer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/answer. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
answer
1 of 2 noun
an·swer
ˈan(t)-sər
1
a
: something spoken or written in reply especially to a question
b
: a correct response
knew the answer
c
: a solution of a problem
2
: something said or done in response
answer
2 of 2 verb
answered; answering
ˈan(t)s-(ə-)riŋ
1
: to speak or write in reply
2
a
: to take responsibility for something
answered for the children's safety
b
: to make amends
must answer for their crime
3
: conform sense 2, correspond
answered to the description
4
: to be what is needed for : serve
answered the purpose
5
: to find a solution for
answer a riddle
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