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Definition of answer noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

answer

noun
 OPAL S
 
/ˈɑːnsə(r)/
 
/ˈænsər/
Idioms
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  1.  
     something that you say, write or do to react to a question or situation
    • I rang the bell, but there was no answer.
    • Can't you give me a definitive answer?
    • The short answer is no.
    • The simple answer is that we don't know.
    • a question and answer session
    • answer to something I can't easily give an answer to your question.
    • Have you had an answer to your letter?
    • She had no answer to the accusations.
    • in answer to something As if in answer to our prayers, she offered to lend us £10 000.
    • answer from somebody You're not going to get an answer from me!
    • answer as to something The report does not provide answers as to why the tragedy occurred.
    Which Word? answer / replyanswer / replyVerbs
    • Answer and reply are the most common verbs used for speaking or writing as a reaction to a question, letter, etc.
    • Note that you answer a person, question or letter, not answer to them, but you reply to somebody or something:
      • I’m writing to answer your questions
      • I’m writing to reply to your questions.
      • I’m writing to answer to your questions.
    • Answer can be used with or without an object:
      • I haven’t answered her email yet.
      • I knocked on the door but nobody answered.
      Reply is often used with the actual words spoken:
      • ‘I won’t let you down,’ he replied.
    • Respond is less common and more formal:
      • The directors were unwilling to respond to questions.
    • You can only answer a door or a phone.
    see also rejoin2, retort, get back to somebodyNouns
    • Note the phrases in answer to and in reply to:
      • I’m writing in answer to your letter.
    see also response, rejoinder, retort
    Extra Examples
    • He left without waiting to hear her answer.
    • He was clearly expecting a different answer.
    • I cannot give you a definite answer just yet.
    • I expect a straight answer to a straight question.
    • I struggled to formulate an answer.
    • I complained to the water company and received a very dusty answer.
    • I think you can guess the answer—they won't lend us the money.
    • I want some answers before I agree to anything.
    • Please give her your answer, so she can make the necessary arrangements.
    • She repeated her question, but he offered no answer.
    • The answer came in a postcard she sent from Devon.
    • The question deserves a proper answer.
    • The short answer to your query is that he has acted completely illegally.
    • We can provide answers to any questions you may have about the system.
    • In answer to your question—yes, I have seen him before.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • brief
    • one-word
    • quick
    • …
    verb + answer
    • get
    • have
    • receive
    • …
    answer + verb
    • come
    preposition
    • in answer to
    • answer to
    See full entry
  2.  
     something that you write or say in reply to a question in a test, an exam, an exercise, etc.; the correct reply to a question in a test, etc.
    • the correct/right answer
    • Write your answers on the sheet provided.
    • Do you know the answer (= the right one) to question 12?
    • The answers are at the back of the book.
    Extra Examples
    • The sender of the first correct answer to be drawn will receive £100.
    • It's not worth guessing the answer, as you may lose marks.
    • Please print the answers to questions 1 and 2.
    • The students are allowed to use textbooks to find the right answer.
    • This part of the exam requires a written answer.
    • the short-answer section of the test
    Topics Educationa1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • acceptable
    • appropriate
    • correct
    • …
    verb + answer
    • give
    • submit
    • guess
    • …
    preposition
    • answer to
    See full entry
  3.  
     a solution to a problem
    • There is no easy answer.
    • The answer is simple.
    • answer to something This could be the answer to all our problems.
    • There are more questions than answers on the issue of our ageing population.
    • This may not be the answer for everyone.
    • She has spent her life looking for answers.
    • The obvious answer would be to cancel the party.
    • The answer lies in a combination of factors.
    Extra Examples
    • The answer came to him in a flash.
    • We are aware of this problem, but we do not have the answer.
    • If you really want to save time, this machine will provide the answer.
    • We have arrived at an answer which we hope will satisfy everyone.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • easy
    • instant
    • pat
    • …
    verb + answer
    • have
    • know
    • look for
    • …
    answer + verb
    • come to somebody
    • depend on something
    • lie in something
    • …
    preposition
    • answer to
    phrases
    • have all the answers
    • know all the answers
    See full entry
  4. answer to something a person or thing from one place that may be thought to be as good as a famous person or thing from another place
    • The new theme park will be Britain's answer to Disneyland.
    More Like This Silent lettersSilent letters
    5. Word OriginOld English andswaru (noun), andswarian (verb), of Germanic origin; from a base shared by swear.
Idioms
have/know all the answers
  1. (informal, often disapproving) to be confident that you know something, especially when you actually do not
    • He thinks he knows all the answers.
not take no for an answer
  1. to refuse to accept that somebody does not want something, will not do something, etc.
    • You're coming and I won't take no for an answer!
See answer in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee answer in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: answer

Nearby words

dizzy
adjective
 
 
From the Topic
Health problems
C1
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