How do you use the word "answer" in a sentence?

Here are real-life examples of using "answer": What did you answer? Do you really need to ask the question to know the answer?

Answer Meaning

/ˈɑːn.sə/

Definition, CEFR level A1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

Definition

nounA response or reply; something said or done in reaction to a statement or question.

nounA solution to a problem.

Sentence Examples

What did you answer?

Do you really need to ask the question to know the answer?

I will attempt to answer all your questions.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms:

result respond response

Antonyms:

question

CEFR Practice Quiz

You must ____ all questions on the test to receive credit.

CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)

I don't know the ____ to the difficult question you just asked me.

Word Origin & History

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂ent- Proto-Indo-European *-s Proto-Indo-European *h₂éntsder. Proto-Germanic *anda- Proto-Indo-European *swer-der. Proto-Germanic *swarō Proto-Germanic *andaswarō Proto-West Germanic *andaswaru Old English andswaru Middle English answere English answer From Middle English answere, andsware, from Old English andswaru (“answer”), from and- (“against”) + swaru (“affirmation”), (from Proto-Indo-European *h₂ent- (“front, forehead”) and Old English swerian (“to swear”), from Proto-Indo-European *swer-), suggesting an original meaning of "a sworn statement rebutting a charge". The cognates suggest the existence of Proto-Germanic *andaswarō (“a reply to a question”). Cognate with Old Frisian ondser (“answer”), Old Saxon andswōr (“answer”), Danish and Swedish ansvar (“liability, responsibility, answer”), Icelandic andsvar (“answer, response”). Compare also Old English andwyrde (“answer”) (cognate to Dutch antwoord, German Antwort), Old English andcwiss (“reply”), German Schwur (“oath, vow”).

Literary Quotations & Historical Citations

"When a student types a complex question into a chatbot, they get a polished (though not necessarily authentic, accurate or nuanced) answer in seconds." — 2025 December 9, Rachel Konrad and Matt Abrahams, “Why Young People Are Struggling to Communicate”, in TIME:

"Anti-pornography crusader Mary Whitehouse, who successfully brought London's Gay News to trial recently on charges of "blasphemy," is emerging as England's answer to Anita Bryant." — 1977 December 3, “England's Bryant”, in Gay Community News, volume 5, number 22, page 2:

"She answers him as if she knew his mind:" — 1593, [William Shakespeare], Venus and Adonis, London: […] Richard Field, […], →OCLC:

"[…] there was no voice, nor any that answered." — 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 1 Kings 18:26:

"“Well,” I answered, at first with uncertainty, then with inspiration, “he would do splendidly to lead your cotillon, if you think of having one.” ¶ “So you do not dance, Mr. Crocker?” ¶ I was somewhat set back by her perspicuity." — 1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter IV, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC:

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