a statement that solves a problem or explains how to solve the problem
"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"
the speech act of replying to a question
"She paused for a moment before answering his direct question about the project deadline."
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
"The lawyer drafted the answer to formally deny every allegation in the plaintiff's complaint while asserting several affirmative defenses."
a nonverbal reaction
"his answer to any problem was to get drunk"
"their answer was to sue me"
A response or reply; something said or done in reaction to a statement or question.
"She waited anxiously for his answer before finally speaking her mind."
In plain English: An answer is the thing you say to reply to a question or solve a problem.
"She wrote down her answer on the test sheet."
Usage: Use the noun answer to refer to a verbal or written response given to a question or request. Ensure it functions as an object in your sentence rather than a verb that performs the action of replying.
give a defence or refutation of (a charge) or in (an argument)
"The defendant answered to all the charges of the prosecution"
be satisfactory for; meet the requirements of or serve the purpose of
"This may answer her needs"
To make a reply or response to.
"She quickly answered his question about the meeting time."
In plain English: To answer means to give a reply to a question or request.
"She answered the phone on the first ring."
Usage: Use "answer" when someone speaks or writes to you and you provide a verbal or written reply. It applies to responding to questions, letters, calls, or statements rather than reacting physically to an object.
The word answer comes from Old English, originally combining elements meaning "against" and "affirmation" to describe a sworn statement used to rebut a charge. Over time, this specific legal sense broadened in Middle English to simply mean any reply to a question or request.