answerable

Answerable is an adjective with two principal senses. In its primary sense, it describes something that can be answered or responded to, such as a question, problem, or request: The math problem is answerable with the given data. In its second sense, it describes someone or something that is obligated to justify actions or to be held accountable to someone else: The administrator is answerable to the board, or The defendant is answerable for the damages.

Etymology and history: The word is formed from the verb answer plus the suffix -able. It has been part of English since the Middle English period, with attestations in the 15th century. The sense of solvability and the sense of accountability both derive from the core idea of providing a response or justification.

Usage notes: When referring to questions or problems, answerable emphasizes the possibility of giving a response or solution, often supported by evidence: Is this question answerable? When referring to people, organizations, or obligations, it signals accountability or duty to justify actions: She is answerable to the committee. Phrases such as answer for and answer to are common, with nuances: answer for indicates responsibility for consequences, while answer to denotes reporting or subordination.

See also: accountability, responsibility, answer, question, response.