Explanation at your level:
An answer is what you say when someone asks you something. If I ask 'How are you?', your answer is 'I am fine'. It is very easy to use!
You need an answer for a question. If you take a test, you write the right answer. It is a very useful word for daily life.
An answer is not just words. It can be a solution to a problem. For example, if you have a flat tire, the answer is to change it. We often use it with verbs like 'give', 'find', or 'know'.
The word 'answer' functions as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it implies a resolution. We often talk about 'finding the answer' to a mystery or a complex social issue. It carries the weight of being the final word on a subject.
Beyond simple responses, 'answer' can denote a philosophical or strategic reaction. When we 'provide an answer' to a systemic problem, we are offering a comprehensive solution. It is often used in academic or professional contexts to suggest a well-reasoned conclusion.
Etymologically rooted in the concept of a formal oath, 'answer' retains a sense of accountability. In literary contexts, an 'answer' can be a retort or a rebuttal. It represents the culmination of inquiry, where the 'answer' serves as the definitive truth in a specific discourse.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A reply to a question
- A solution to a problem
- Can be a noun or verb
- Very common in daily life
Think of an answer as the bridge between a question and the information you need. Whether you are solving a math equation or replying to a text, you are providing an answer.
It is one of the most common words in English because we are constantly interacting with the world. An answer can be a simple 'yes' or a complex scientific theory. It is essentially the resolution to an inquiry or a reaction to a stimulus.
The word answer comes from the Old English word andswaru. Breaking it down, 'and-' means 'against' and '-swaru' relates to 'swearing' or 'vowing'.
Historically, it meant to 'swear back' or to make a formal pledge in response to a legal charge. Over centuries, the meaning shifted from a formal legal oath to any general response given to a question or situation.
You use 'answer' in almost every context, from casual chats to board meetings. Common collocations include 'give an answer', 'find the answer', or 'the correct answer'.
In formal settings, you might 'provide an answer' to a client. In casual settings, you might just 'give someone an answer' about plans for the weekend.
1. Answer the door: To go to the door when someone knocks. 2. Answer for: To be held responsible for something. 3. Answer back: To reply rudely to someone in authority. 4. A law unto oneself: (Related to behavior) Acting without regard for rules. 5. Answer the call: To respond to a need or duty.
The plural is answers. It is a countable noun, so you can say 'an answer' or 'many answers'.
Pronunciation varies: UK English is /ˈɑːnsər/ while US English is /ˈænsər/. The 'w' is silent in both. It rhymes with 'dancer' or 'prancer'.
Fun Fact
The 'w' was once pronounced in ancient Germanic dialects.
Pronunciation Guide
Long 'a' sound
Short 'a' sound
Common Errors
- pronouncing the w
- stressing the second syllable
- making the 's' sound like 'z'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy
easy
easy
easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Countable Nouns
an answer
Examples by Level
What is the answer?
What is the reply?
Use 'the' for specific answers.
I know the answer.
She gave a good answer.
Do you have an answer?
The answer is yes.
He found the answer.
Write your answer here.
Is that the right answer?
I need an answer now.
There is no easy answer to this problem.
He provided a clear answer to the question.
She is looking for an answer.
The answer lies in the data.
Can you give me an answer by tomorrow?
He was waiting for an answer.
The answer surprised everyone.
That is not the answer I expected.
The government is seeking an answer to the crisis.
She offered a clever answer to the riddle.
His answer was full of wisdom.
We need a definitive answer.
The answer to the mystery was hidden.
She gave a vague answer to avoid trouble.
He had no answer for her accusations.
The answer is blowing in the wind.
His research provides a compelling answer to the debate.
She sought an answer in the ancient texts.
The theory offers a partial answer.
He demanded an answer for the injustice.
Her answer was both witty and profound.
There is no simple answer to such a complex phenomenon.
The answer requires deep reflection.
They are searching for an answer to climate change.
The poem serves as an answer to the silence of the age.
His life was an answer to the call of duty.
She found an answer in the depths of her soul.
The architecture is an answer to modern urban decay.
He provided an answer that silenced the critics.
The answer resonates through history.
We must formulate an answer to these existential threats.
Her work is an answer to the challenges of our time.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"answer the door"
go to the door
I will answer the door.
neutral""
""
""
""
""
Easily Confused
both mean response
reply is often more formal
I replied to the letter.
Sentence Patterns
The answer to [X] is [Y]
The answer to the riddle is simple.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
You don't need 'to' when using answer as a verb.
Tips
Memory Palace
Place a giant question mark on your door.
Native Speakers
We say 'the answer is' very often.
Cultural Insight
In the UK, 'answer' can refer to a telephone answering machine.
Grammar Shortcut
Don't use 'to' after the verb answer.
Say It Right
Ignore the 'w' completely.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't write 'answer' as 'anser'.
Did You Know?
The word is over 1,000 years old.
Study Smart
Practice with 'question/answer' pairs.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
A-N-S-W-E-R: Always Notice Someone Waiting Every Reply.
Visual Association
A lightbulb turning on.
Word Web
Challenge
Ask 3 people a question today.
Word Origin
Old English
Original meaning: To swear back
Cultural Context
None
Commonly used in interviews and daily conversation.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
School
- Raise your hand
- What is the answer?
- Correct answer
Conversation Starters
"What is the answer to life?"
"Do you have an answer for me?"
"Can you answer a question?"
"Why is it hard to find an answer?"
"What was your answer?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you found an answer.
What is a question you want an answer to?
Describe a difficult answer you had to give.
Why are some answers hard to find?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsYes, it is both a noun and a verb.
Test Yourself
What is the ___ to this question?
We need a noun for a reply.
Which word is a synonym for answer?
Reply means the same as answer.
You can say 'I answered to the question'.
The verb 'answer' does not take 'to' before the object.
Word
Meaning
Idiom matching.
Subject-Verb-Object structure.
Score: /5
Summary
An answer is the bridge between a question and the truth.
- A reply to a question
- A solution to a problem
- Can be a noun or verb
- Very common in daily life
Memory Palace
Place a giant question mark on your door.
Native Speakers
We say 'the answer is' very often.
Cultural Insight
In the UK, 'answer' can refer to a telephone answering machine.
Grammar Shortcut
Don't use 'to' after the verb answer.
Example
I am waiting for your answer to my text message.
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