The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook

accountable

IPA:

Dictionary definition of accountable

Responsible and answerable for one's actions, decisions, or obligations.
"The CEO is accountable to the shareholders for the company's performance."

Detailed meaning of accountable

When an individual or entity is accountable, they acknowledge their duties and are willing to accept consequences, both positive and negative, for their behavior or performance. Accountability fosters transparency, trust, and integrity in various aspects of life, such as personal relationships, professional settings, and governance. It implies a willingness to provide explanations or justifications for one's actions, ensuring that there is a clear chain of responsibility and a sense of reliability in meeting commitments and expectations. In essence, being accountable signifies a commitment to ethical and moral standards and is a fundamental aspect of responsible conduct.

Example sentences containing accountable

1. As a team leader, I am accountable for the success or failure of our project.
2. The government officials should be held accountable for their actions.
3. It's important to have an accountable system in place to track expenses.
4. The CEO made it clear that everyone in the company is accountable for their performance.
5. Parents play a crucial role in teaching children to be accountable for their behavior.
6. The company implemented new policies to ensure employees are held accountable for meeting deadlines.

History and etymology of accountable

The adjective 'accountable' has its roots in Latin, specifically from the word 'accomptare,' which is a combination of 'ad,' meaning 'to' or 'towards,' and 'computare,' meaning 'to count' or 'to calculate.' In Latin, 'accomptare' originally meant 'to count up' or 'to calculate together.' As the term evolved and made its way into Middle English, it came to signify the idea of being responsible and answerable for one's actions, decisions, or obligations. To be 'accountable' means to be liable to provide an account or explanation of one's conduct or fulfill one's duties. The etymology of 'accountable' underscores the connection between counting, calculating, and the responsibility of being answerable for one's actions and obligations, emphasizing the idea of being held to account.

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Further usage examples of accountable

1. The organization strives to create a culture of accountability among its members.
2. The accountable party must take responsibility for the mistake and rectify it.
3. The employee was praised for being consistently accountable and reliable.
4. In a healthy relationship, both partners should be accountable for their actions and words.
5. The project manager held a meeting to discuss the accountable individuals for each task.
6. The government promised to be transparent and accountable to its citizens.
7. The accountant's role is to keep track of financial transactions and hold individuals accountable.
8. The principal holds students accountable for their academic performance.
9. The committee members are collectively accountable for making important decisions.
10. The judge reminded the defendant that he is accountable for his actions.
11. The company's values include integrity, honesty, and being accountable to their customers.
12. The board of directors is ultimately accountable for the company's success.
13. The team established clear expectations to ensure everyone is held accountable for their contributions.
14. The public holds elected officials accountable for fulfilling their campaign promises.