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answer2 S1 W2
1 to say something to someone as a reply when they have asked you a question, made a suggestion etc : 
She thought for a moment before answering.'Why don't you just leave?' 'I'd like to,' she answered, 'but I have nowhere else to go.' How much was it? Come on, answer me.
reply
[intransitive and transitive]
She thought for a moment before answering.'Why don't you just leave?' 'I'd like to,' she answered, 'but I have nowhere else to go.'How much was it? Come on, answer me.2 to write or say the answer to a question in a test or competition : Answer as many questions as possible in the time provided.
test
[intransitive and transitive]Answer as many questions as possible in the time provided.3 to pick up the telephone and speak when it rings or open the door when someone knocks or rings the bell
answer the phone/a call/the door
4 if you answer a letter or advertisement, you write a letter to the person who has written it : Simon got the job by answering an advert in the paper.
letter
[transitive]Simon got the job by answering an advert in the paper.5 to explain why you did something when people are criticizing you - used in news reports : How do you answer the criticism that your government has done nothing to help the homeless?
answer criticism/charges/accusations etc
How do you answer the criticism that your government has done nothing to help the homeless?6 to do something as a reaction to criticism or an attack [= respond]: The army answered by firing into the crowd.
react to something
[intransitive and transitive]The army answered by firing into the crowd.7 to be a way of dealing with or solving a problem : 'You can borrow my car if you like.' 'Well, that answers one problem.'
deal with a problem
[transitive]'You can borrow my car if you like.' 'Well, that answers one problem.'8 to provide something that is needed : Our transportation system is designed to answer the needs of the city's commuters.
answer a need
Our transportation system is designed to answer the needs of the city's commuters.9 if someone answers a description, they match that description : A man answering the police's description was seen entering the building.
answer a description
A man answering the police's description was seen entering the building.answer back
phrasal verbanswer for somebody/something
phrasal verb1 to explain to people in authority why you did something wrong or why something happened, and be punished if necessary : Their coach must answer for the team's poor performance.
Their coach must answer for the team's poor performance.3 used to say that you cannot make a decision for someone who is not there, or give their opinion : I'm sure John will help us - I can't really answer for the others.
can't answer for somebody
spokenI'm sure John will help us - I can't really answer for the others.answer to somebody/something
phrasal verb1 to give an explanation to someone, especially about something that you have done wrong : Phipps answers to me and me alone.
Phipps answers to me and me alone.2 to be called a particular name - used humorously : a well-dressed young woman answering to the name of Suzanne
answer to the name of something
a well-dressed young woman answering to the name of Suzanne