noun
plural -swers
[count] something you say or write when someone asks you a question
a response to a question that is meant to show whether or not you know something (such as a question asked as part of an exam)
the correct response to a question
something you say or write as a reaction to something someone else has said or done [count]
[count] :something you do in response to something that has happened :a reaction to something - usually singular
[count] :a solution to a problem :something that makes a bad situation better
Someone or something that is the answer to (all) your prayers provides you with something that you want or need.
[count] :something or someone that resembles a well-known or successful thing or person - + to
verb
-swers; -swered; -swering
to say or write something when someone asks you a question :to give an answer to (a question) [+ obj]
[+ obj] :to say or write (something) as a reply
[+ obj] :to reply to (someone) :to say or write something as a response to (someone)
to write a response to a letter, e-mail message, etc. [no obj]
to pick up (a ringing telephone) [no obj]
to open a door when someone knocks on it [no obj]
to act in response to (something) :to react to (something) by taking some action [+ obj]
[+ obj] :to say something in response to (something, such as an accusation) :to defend yourself against (something)
[+ obj] :to be the same as (something) :to be in agreement with (something, such as a description)
[+ obj] :to be what is needed for (something)
answer back
[phrasal verb]
somewhat informal :to reply to someone especially in a rude way
answer (someone) back :to reply rudely to (someone)
answer for
[phrasal verb]
answer for (something)
to take responsibility for (something)
to be punished for (something)
c US :to be used as (something) :to serve as (something)
answer for (someone) :to say what someone else thinks :to give the opinion of (someone else)
answer someone's prayers
to provide what someone hopes or prays for
answer to
[phrasal verb]
answer to (something) :to be the same as (something) :to be in agreement with (something, such as a description)
answer to (someone) :to be required to explain your actions to (someone)
answer to a name
If an animal, such as a dog, answers to a name, it responds when it is called by that name.