Dictionary

accountability en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• [əˌkæɔn.təˈbɪl.ə.ɾi] (Australia)
• /əˌkaʊn.təˈbɪl.ə.ti/ (UK)
• /əˌkaʊn.təˈbɪl.ə.ti/ (Canada, US)
• [əˌkaʊ.ɾ̃əˈbɪl.ə.ɾi] (Canada, US)
• /əˌkæɔn.təˈbɪl.ə.ti/ (Australia)
• (Canada) audio

Etymology

Etymology tree English accountable Proto-Indo-European *-teh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-ts Proto-Indo-European *-teh₂ts Latin -itāsder. Old French -itebor. Middle English -ite English -ity English accountability From accountable + -ity.

Meanings

1. (uncountable, usually) The state of being accountable; liability to be called on to render an account or give an explanation; liability to be held responsible or answerable for something.
   • The GBR network organisation will have overall accountability to ensure the government's aims are achieved, setting strategic, planning and financial frameworks within which local business units will operate. 2025 November 12, David Stubbings, “Rail reform bill: pledge to rebuild trust of passengers”, in RAIL, number 1048, page 6:
   • The United States stands at this time at the pinnacle of world power. It is a solemn moment for the American Democracy. For with primacy in power is also joined an awe-inspiring accountability to the future. 1946, Winston Churchill, Sinews of Peace:
   • Some companies may not even know whether nanomaterials are present in their products, the corporate accountability group As You Sow said. 2013 February 6, Stephanie Strom, “Study Looks at Particles Used in Food”, in The New York Times, →ISSN, archived from the original on 08 Jun 2019:
2. (uncountable, usually) An open determination of one's responsibility for something and imposition of consequences.
   • Levying a charge will not, by itself, guarantee accountability: witness the millions of dissatisfied customers of the private sector travel agents who book the wrong holiday, solicitors who over-charge, builders who do shoddy work, garages that misrepair cars, estate agents who mislead, shops that sell defective goods and refuse refunds, etc. 2000, Neil Bateman, Advocacy Skills for Health and Social Care Professionals, page 53:
   • Just think about that: 1 in 4 had an error, and 1 in 20 was seriously wrong. And that is not good. If every 20th Frosty that Wendy’s sold turned out to be a cup of warm goat semen, we would want some accountability and we’d want it fast! At least freeze it! 2016 April 10, “Credit Reports”, in Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, season 3, episode 8, John Oliver (actor), via HBO:
3. (uncountable, usually) An acceptance of good faith of one's responsibility for something and of its consequences.
   • As the biggest rail player, Network Rail was usually held accountable for failings, but had no authority to change anything to solve the problems. The DfT had been given that authority in 2004 - but consistently ducked accountability. 2021 March 10, Nigel Harris, “It's time to get on with it!”, in RAIL, number 926, page 3:
   • The erosion of accountability doesn't seem to matter now, but it will matter when things start unraveling. 2023 October 18, Charles Hugh Smith, Our Mutually Reinforcing Crises: Not All Polycrises Are Equal:
4. (uncountable, usually) The obligation imposed by law or regulation on an officer or other person for keeping an accurate record of property, documents, or funds.

Forms

Deriveds

accountabilibuddy · unaccountability · nonaccountability · accountability partner · accountability buddy

Relateds

responsibility · hold to account

Synonyms

accountableness

Translations (61)

eo respondeco (state of being accountable) · ru отве́тственность (state of being accountable) · ca competència ((military)) · sh odgovornost (state of being accountable) · pl odpowiedzialność (state of being accountable) · ru компетентность ((military)) · es responsabilización (state of being accountable) · es responsabilidad (state of being accountable) · pt competência ((military)) · hy հաշվետվություն (state of being accountable) · de Verantwortlichkeit (state of being accountable) · tr sorumluluk (state of being accountable) · fr responsabilité (state of being accountable) · hu elszámoltathatóság (state of being accountable) · es competencia ((military)) · is ábyrgðarskylda (state of being accountable) · es culpabilidad (state of being accountable) · ms kebertanggungjawapan (state of being accountable) · hy հաշվետվողականություն (state of being accountable) · fr obligation de rendre compte (state of being accountable) · it competenza ((military)) · ru отчётность (state of being accountable) · gl responsabilidade (state of being accountable) · ro responsabilitate (state of being accountable) · nl verantwoording (state of being accountable) · sv ansvarighet (state of being accountable) · pl rozliczalność (state of being accountable) · es culpabilización (state of being accountable) · fi vastuullisuus (state of being accountable) · id tanggung gugat (state of being accountable) · scn rispunzabbilità (state of being accountable) · ro competență ((military)) · ca responsabilitat (state of being accountable) · ka პასუხისმგებლობა (state of being accountable) · fr engagement responsable (state of being accountable) · sh одговорност (state of being accountable) · el υπευθυνότητα (state of being accountable) · nb etterrettelighet (state of being accountable) · nb ansvarlighet (state of being accountable) · el ευθύνη (state of being accountable) · ka ანგარიშვალდებულება (state of being accountable) · scn rispunzabbilitati (state of being accountable) · ba яуаплылыҡ (state of being accountable) · id akuntabilitas (state of being accountable) · it obbligo/capacità di rendicontazione (state of being accountable) · pt responsabilidade (state of being accountable) · bg отговорност (state of being accountable) · ar كَفَاءَة ((military)) · el αρμοδιότητα ((military)) · es imputabilidad (state of being accountable) · fr obligation de rendre des comptes (state of being accountable) · de Rechenschaftspflicht (state of being accountable) · mk отчетност (state of being accountable) · ms akauntabiliti (state of being accountable) · it responsabilità (state of being accountable) · cs odpovědnost (state of being accountable) · da ansvarlighed (state of being accountable) · ru подотчётность (state of being accountable) · sv ansvarsskyldighet (state of being accountable) · it rendicontabilità (state of being accountable) · ro responsabilitate angajată (state of being accountable)