answer

The definition of an answer is a response to a question or inquiry that can be given orally or in written form.

(noun)

An example of an answer is an essay written on an exam.

An answer is defined as something that is similar or a close copy.

(noun)

An example of an answer is to say that the game of rugby is another version of American football.

To answer is defined as to give a response to a question in either an oral or written manner, or by a physical gesture.

(verb)

An example of giving an answer is to wave back to someone who has smiled or waved at you.

Answer means to deal with a result of something.

(verb)

An example of having to answer for something is a child explaining why he bullied another child.

See answer in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

something said or written in return to a question, argument, letter, etc.
any act in response or retaliation: his answer was a well-aimed blow
one that is a counterpart or equivalent of another, often as the result of imitation: Japan's answer to Sherlock Holmes
a solution to a problem
Law a written pleading by which the defendant replies to the plaintiff's charges; defense
Music in a fugue, the second or fourth restatement of the subject in another voice and transposed to another key, usually at the interval of a fourth or fifth

Origin: ME andsware < OE andswaru < and-, against + swerian, swear

intransitive verb

transitive verb

1. to reply to in words, by an action, etc.
2. to say or write in reply
to respond to the signal of (a telephone, doorbell, etc.)
to fulfill satisfactorily; comply with; be sufficient for; serve: the makeshift tent answered their purpose
to defend oneself against (an accusation, criticism, etc.); refute
to agree with; conform to; suit: he answers the description
Obsolete to atone for

See answer in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. A spoken or written reply, as to a question.
b. A correct reply.
a. A solution, as to a problem.
b. A correct solution.
An act in retaliation or response: Our only possible answer was to sue.
Something markedly similar to another of the same class: cable TV's answer to the commercial networks' sportscasts.
Law A defendant's defense against charges.

verb an·swered, an·swer·ing, an·swers

verb, intransitive

To speak, write, or act as a return, as to a question.
To be liable or accountable: You must answer for your actions.
To serve the purpose; suffice: “Often I do use three words where one would answer” (Mark Twain).
To correspond; match: I found a dog answering to that description.

verb, transitive

To speak, write, or act as a return to; respond to.
To respond correctly to.
To fulfill the demands or needs of; serve: “My fortune has answered my desires” (Isaak Walton).
To conform or correspond to: The suspect answers the description given by the police.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English answere

Origin: , from Old English andswaru; see swer- in Indo-European roots

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