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answer
★★★★★
🇺🇸 /ˈænsɚ/
answer 既可以指对问题、话语或处境作出的“回答”，也可以指解决问题的办法；作动词时还常表示回答、接听，以及满足需要或要求。
💡 记忆钩子
把 answer 想成“正面迎上去并作出回应”：面对问题，说出回答；面对难题，给出解决办法；面对电话或敲门，作出接听或应门的回应；面对需要或责任，则表示足以满足或需要负责。
📝 学习建议
- 先掌握“回答”和“答案”这条主线，再学习“满足需要”和“对……负责”等引申义。
- 不要把 answer 只理解成书面考试中的“答案”；它也常用于回答问题、接电话和应门。
📖 中文释义
noun
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core 回答；回应📖 指对问题、话语、请求或行为作出的回答或回应，可以是说出来的话，也可以是一个行动。它是“面对某件事并作出回应”这条核心意义最直接的用法。💡 常用结构是“an answer to + 问题/话语”或“give/get an answer”，表示“对某事的回答”或“得到回答”。answer 可以指口头回答，也可以指书面回答或实际回应；不要只把它理解为考试中的“答案”。I asked her a simple question, but she gave me no answer.我问了她一个简单的问题，但她没有回答我。His answer to the proposal surprised everyone.他对这项提议的回应让所有人都很惊讶。
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core 解决办法；答案📖 指解决问题、困难或疑问的办法，不一定是一个简短的具体回答。这里的“回答”从语言回应扩展成了对难题的有效回应。💡 常见结构是“the answer to a problem/question”或“the answer is to do something”。说“没有简单的答案”时，answer 可以指解决复杂问题的办法，而不只是某道题的正确选项。There is no easy answer to this problem.这个问题没有简单的解决办法。The answer is to reduce waste and use less energy.解决办法是减少浪费并少用能源。
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common 对应的人或事物📖 指在作用、地位或特点上可以和另一个人或事物相对应的人或事物，相当于“某地或某领域的对应版本”。💡 常见结构是“someone’s answer to + 人/事物”，多用于比较、评论或新闻写作。这里不是“回答某人”，而是说某人或某物承担了类似作用；初学者不要按普通“回答”义硬译。This small company is often called the country's answer to a major technology brand.这家小公司常被称为这个国家对应某大型科技品牌的企业。
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rare 对诉状的答辩文件📖 在法律语境中，指被告针对起诉内容提交的正式答辩文件，逐项回应对方的主张，并可提出反驳。💡 通常出现在法律文件或诉讼程序中，常与“file”或“submit”搭配。它不是日常意义上的口头回答，普通交流中一般不使用这个义项。
answers
plural
verb
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core 回答；回应📖 指对某人的话、问题或请求作出回答或回应，是 answer 作动词时最基本的意义。回应可以是说话，也可以是书面或实际行动。💡 常用结构是“answer someone/something”或“answer a question”，其中 answer 后面可以直接接人或问题。表示“回答某人”时通常不说“answer to someone”；“answer to”有其他意义，不能混用。ambitransitivePlease answer my question honestly.请如实回答我的问题。She answered him with a quiet smile.她带着平静的微笑回应了他。
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common 为指控辩护；答辩📖 指针对指控、批评或指责作出回应并进行辩护，重点不是普通地回答，而是为自己或他人作解释、反驳。💡 常见结构是“answer a charge/an accusation”，宾语通常是指控或罪名。这个用法比普通“回答问题”更正式，法律和争论语境中尤其常见；不要把它误解为已经承认指控。transitiveThe company must answer the accusations made against it.这家公司必须回应针对它提出的指控。
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core 接听；应门📖 指对电话、门铃、敲门或类似呼叫作出回应，实际接起电话或打开门。这仍然是“对外来的呼叫作出回应”。💡 常见结构是“answer the phone”或“answer the door”，后面直接接电话或门。这里不能只译成“回答电话”；中文通常说“接电话”，说“应门”时指去开门回应来访者。ambitransitiveCould you answer the phone while I make dinner?我做晚饭时，你能帮我接一下电话吗？No one answered the door when I knocked.我敲门时没有人应门。
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core 满足需要；适合用途📖 指某物足以满足某种需要、目的或实际要求。这里是把“作出回应”扩大为“给出足够有效的回应”。💡 常见结构是“answer a need/purpose”或“answer the need for something”，多用于较正式的说明。日常表达“满足需要”更常用其他动词，因此这个用法读得懂很重要，但主动使用时要注意语体。ambitransitiveThis simple tool answers the need for a cheap way to store water.这个简单的工具满足了人们以低成本储水的需要。
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common 对……负责📖 指某人需要向他人解释自己的行为、管理的财物或造成的后果，也就是必须承担责任并作出交代。💡 常见结构是“answer to someone for something”，其中 to 后面是需要负责的对象，for 后面是责任涉及的事情。这个结构较正式，不要把它当成普通的“回答某人”；它强调责任和问责。The manager answers to the board for the company's finances.这位经理要向董事会对公司的财务负责。
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rare 提交答辩文件📖 在法律语境中，指针对诉状正式提交答辩文件，是名词法律义项的动词形式。💡 通常用于诉讼程序和法律文件，常与“a complaint”或“a claim”搭配。日常语境中不用它表示普通回答，法律文本中也常由更具体的法律表达替代。
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common 与……相符；对应📖 指一个事物在内容、形式或性质上与另一个事物相符或相互对应，就像一个回应恰好对上了另一个东西。💡 常见结构是“answer to + 名词”，表示“与某物相符或对应”。这个用法比“回答”正式，常用于描述图像、描述、标准或预期之间的对应关系。The results did not answer to our expectations.结果没有符合我们的预期。
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rare 相对；对着📖 指两个位置彼此相对，或一个事物朝向、对应另一个事物。这是“相互回应、彼此对上”的较旧用法。💡 通常用于文学、历史或描述建筑位置的正式文本，现代日常英语中很少这样使用。不要把它和普通的“answer a question”混为一谈。
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common 符合；适合📖 指某物在要求、条件、比例或用途上相互协调，达到合适或相称的程度。它和“满足需要”相近，但更强调与某个标准或对象相符合。💡 常见结构是“answer to + 标准/要求/用途”，有时也用于描述两件事彼此协调。这个用法偏正式，日常会话中常用“fit”“match”或“meet”表达类似意思。The design answers to the practical needs of the users.这个设计符合使用者的实际需要。
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common 有效回应；驳倒📖 指通过解释、论证或理由，成功回应一个问题、异议或论点，并使其得到解决或被反驳。它仍然保留“正面迎接并回应”的核心形象。💡 常见结构是“answer an objection/argument/question”，宾语是需要回应或反驳的内容。这个用法较正式，常见于讨论、辩论和书面论证；不要把它简单理解成只提供一句普通回答。The report answers the main objections to the plan.这份报告回应并解决了对该计划的主要异议。
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common 履行；满足要求📖 指按照命令、义务、要求或索赔作出相应行动，使对方的要求得到满足。这里强调对某种外部要求作出合乎要求的回应。💡 常见结构是“answer a demand/claim/order”，通常直接接表示要求或义务的名词。这个用法正式程度较高，日常表达“履行要求”时常用“meet”“fulfil”或“comply with”。The payment answered the customer's claim in full.这笔付款完全满足了客户的索赔要求。
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rare 交代；对……负责📖 指向某人或某事作出正式交代，尤其是对自己的行为或责任作出说明，是“负责”义的古旧用法。💡 这是过时或历史语体中的用法，现代英语中通常用“account for”或“be responsible for”。学习时只需把它和“answer to someone for something”的责任义联系起来。obsolete
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rare 为……赎罪；受惩罚📖 指因为某种过错而承担后果、接受惩罚或为其赎罪，是“对行为作出责任回应”的古旧引申义。💡 这是过时或文学性的用法，现代日常英语几乎不这样说。不要把普通的 answer 直接理解成“惩罚”；只有特定历史语境才可能出现这个义项。obsolete
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rare 充当；足以抵偿📖 指某物可以充当另一物，或在价值、作用上足以替代、补偿或偿还它。这是从“作出足够回应”发展出的古旧用法。💡 这是过时或格言式语体中的用法，现代英语通常用“serve as”“be enough for”或“repay”。阅读古典或宗教风格文本时，需根据上下文判断它不是普通的“回答”。obsolete
answers
present,singular,third-person
answering
participle,present
answered
participle,past
answered
past
📘 英文释义 (WordNet)
共 15 组
understand the meaning of
同义词集:
answer
resolve
The question concerning the meaning of life cannot be answered
上位: figure out, lick, puzzle out, solve, work, work out
give the correct answer or solution to;
同义词集:
answer
answer a question
answer the riddle
上位: figure out, lick, puzzle out, solve, work, work out
react to a stimulus or command
同义词集:
answer
The steering of my new car answers to the slightest touch
上位: react, respond
respond to a signal;
同义词集:
answer
answer the door
answer the telephone
上位: react, respond
give a defence or refutation of (a charge) or in (an argument)
同义词集:
answer
The defendant answered to all the charges of the prosecution
上位: rebut, refute
react verbally; ;
同义词集:
answer
reply
respond
She didn't want to answer
answer the question
We answered that we would accept the invitation
上位: say, state, tell
下位: bridle, come back, counter, field, rejoin, repay, retort, return, riposte, sass
be satisfactory for; meet the requirements of or serve the purpose of
同义词集:
answer
This may answer her needs
上位: conform to, fill, fit, fulfil, fulfill, meet, satisfy
a nonverbal reaction;
同义词集:
answer
his answer to any problem was to get drunk
their answer was to sue me
上位: reaction, response
match or correspond
同义词集:
answer
The drawing of the suspect answers to the description the victim gave
上位: agree, check, correspond, fit, gibe, jibe, match, tally
be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity; ; ; ;
同义词集:
suffice
do
answer
serve
A few words would answer
This car suits my purpose well
Will $100 do?
A `B' grade doesn't suffice to get me into medical school
Nothing else will serve
上位: fulfil, fulfill, live up to, satisfy
下位: function, measure up, qualify, serve
be liable or accountable
同义词集:
answer
She must answer for her actions
上位: be
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
同义词集:
answer
上位: pleading
下位: plea
a statement that solves a problem or explains how to solve the problem; ;
同义词集:
solution
answer
result
resolution
solvent
they were trying to find a peaceful solution
the answers were in the back of the book
he computed the result to four decimal places
上位: statement
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation;
同义词集:
answer
reply
response
I waited several days for his answer
he wrote replies to several of his critics
上位: statement
下位: feedback
the speech act of replying to a question
同义词集:
answer
反义: enquiry, inquiry, interrogation, query, question
上位: reply, response
下位: defence, defense, refutation
🌳 词源
源自古英语，原有“作出宣誓式回应、反驳指控”的意味，后来发展为一般的“回答、回应”。
Proto-Indo-European *h₂ent-
Proto-Indo-European *-s
Proto-Indo-European *h₂éntsder.
Proto-Germanic *anda-
Proto-Indo-European *swer-der.
Proto-Germanic *swarō
Proto-Germanic *andaswarō
Proto-West Germanic *andaswaru
Old English andswaru
Middle English answere
English answer
From Middle English answere, andsware, from Old English andswaru (“answer”), from and- (“against”) + swaru (“affirmation”), (from Proto-Indo-European *h₂ent- (“front, forehead”) and Old English swerian (“to swear”), from Proto-Indo-European *swer-), suggesting an original meaning of "a sworn statement rebutting a charge". The cognates suggest the existence of Proto-Germanic *andaswarō (“a reply to a question”). Cognate with Old Frisian ondser (“answer”), Old Saxon andswōr (“answer”), Danish and Swedish ansvar (“liability, responsibility, answer”), Icelandic andsvar (“answer, response”). Compare also Old English andwyrde (“answer”) (cognate to Dutch antwoord, German Antwort), Old English andcwiss (“reply”), German Schwur (“oath, vow”).
🔄 变式
answered
past
answering
present
answers
plural
🏷 单词标签 & 词根