Dictionary definition · answer
noun
- a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation"I waited several days for his answer"
- a statement that solves a problem or explains how to solve the problem"they were trying to find a peaceful solution"
- the speech act of replying to a question
- the principal pleading by the defendant in response to plaintiff's complaint; in criminal law it consists of the defendant's plea of ‘guilty’ or ‘not guilty’ (or nolo contendere); in civil law it must contain denials of all allegations in the plaintiff's complaint that the defendant hopes to controvert and it can contain affirmative defenses or counterclaims
- a nonverbal reaction"his answer to any problem was to get drunk"
verb
- react verbally"She didn't want to answer"
- respond to a signal"answer the door"
- give the correct answer or solution to"answer a question"
- understand the meaning of"The question concerning the meaning of life cannot be answered"
- give a defence or refutation of (a charge) or in (an argument)"The defendant answered to all the charges of the prosecution"
- be liable or accountable"She must answer for her actions"
- be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity"A few words would answer"
Source: Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).