answer

noun, verb noun ~ (to sth) 1 something that you say, write or do to react to a question or situation: I can't easily give an answer to your question. * Have you had an answer to your letter? * As if in answer to our prayers, she offered to lend us ｣10000. * I rang the bell, but there was no answer. * She had no answer to the accusations. * a question and answer session 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: Write your answers on the sheet provided. * Do you know the answer to question 12? (= the right one) * The answers are at the back of the book. * The sender of the first correct answer to be drawn will receive ｣100. 3 a solution to a problem: There is no easy answer. * This could be the answer to all our problems. * The obvious answer would be to cancel the party. 4 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. IDIOMS have / know all the answers (informal, often disapproving) to be confident that you know sth, especially when you actually do not: He thinks he knows all the answers. moreatNOexclam.

1 to say, write or do sth as a reaction to a question or situation SYNREPLY: [V] I repeated the question, but she didn't answer. * He answered as truthfully as he could. * [VN] You haven't answered my question. * to answer a letter / an advertisement * to answer the phone (= to pick up the phone when it rings) * to answer the door (= to open the door when sb knocks / rings) * My prayers have been answered (= I have got what I wanted). * He refused to answer the charges against him. * Come on, answer me! Where were you? * He answered me with a smile. * We are grateful to all those people who answered our call for help with fund-raising. * [Vspeech] 'I'd prefer to walk,' she answered. * [VNspeech] 'I'd prefer to walk,' she answered him. * [Vthat] She answered that she would prefer to walk. * [VNN] Answer me this: how did they know we were here? [also VNthat] 2 [VN] (formal) to be suitable for sth; to match sth: Does this answer your requirements? IDIOMS answer to the name of sth (especially of a pet animal) to be called sth: The dog was an ugly brute, answering to the name of Spike. moreatDESCRIPTION PHRASALVERBS answer back to defend yourself against criticism: He was given the chance to answer back in a radio interview. answer back