responsible Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective worthy of or requiring responsibility or trust; or held accountable
    • a responsible adult
    • responsible journalism
    • a responsible position
    • the captain is responsible for the ship's safety
    • the cabinet is responsible to the parliament
  2. adjective satellite being the agent or cause
    responsible for.
    • determined who was the responsible party
    • termites were responsible for the damage
  3. adjective satellite having an acceptable credit rating
    creditworthy.
    • a responsible borrower

WordNet

Re*spon"si*ble adjective
Etymology
Cf. F. responsable. See Respond.
Definitions
  1. Liable to respond; likely to be called upon to answer; accountable; answerable; amenable; as, a guardian is responsible to the court for his conduct in the office.
  2. Able to respond or answer for one's conduct and obligations; trustworthy, financially or otherwise; as, to have a responsible man for surety.
  3. Involving responsibility; involving a degree of accountability on the part of the person concerned; as, a responsible office. Syn. -- Accountable; answerable; amenable. -- Re*spon"si*ble*ness, n. -- Re*spon"si*bly, adv.

Webster 1913