answer
/ˈænsɚ/
verbnoun
Core
1.v.react verbally
“She didn't want to answer”
2.v.respond to a signal
“answer the door”
3.v.give the correct answer or solution to
“answer a question”
Loading page
answer and respond share a recorded sense, so the question is not what they mean but which one fits. answer means “react verbally”. respond means “show a response or a reaction to something”. answer is the more common of the two in everyday English.
/ˈænsɚ/
1.v.react verbally
“She didn't want to answer”
2.v.respond to a signal
“answer the door”
3.v.give the correct answer or solution to
“answer a question”
/ɹɪˈspɑnd/
1.v.show a response or a reaction to something
2.v.react verbally
“She didn't want to answer”
3.v.respond favorably or as hoped
“The cancer responded to the aggressive therapy”
| answer | respond | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈænsɚ/ | /ɹɪˈspɑnd/ |
| Said | AN-sur | ri-SPAHND |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| Letters | 6 | 7 |
| Parts of speech | verb, noun | verb |
| Senses | 15 | 3 |
| How common | Core | Common |
| Synonyms | reply, respond | react |
Full entry for answer · Full entry for respond · More comparisons