responsible

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   In charge of something and expected to deal with it.

   She is responsible for training the new staff.

2. 2
   adj

   Being the cause of something, so deserving blame or credit.

   Who is responsible for this mess?

3. 3
   adj

   Sensible and able to be trusted.

   He's a responsible young man who always keeps his promises.

4. 4
   adj

   Involving important duties and accountability.

   She was promoted to a responsible position in the company.

From Middle French responsable, from Old French responsable, responsible, formed from the root of Latin responsus, from respondere. The spelling of the English word is taken from the Old French variant responsible. By surface analysis, response + -ible.

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