Accountable

Part of Speech

Adjective

Pronunciation

/əˈkaʊntəbl/

Definitions

• Adjective: Responsible for one's actions or decisions, and capable of being held accountable for them. Example: "The manager is accountable for the team's performance."
• Adjective: Required to justify actions or decisions. Example: "The organization is accountable to its stakeholders for its financial performance."

Usage Examples

• "As a leader, he is accountable for the success of the project."
• "The company is held accountable for its environmental impact."
• "She was not accountable for the mistakes made by her team."

Etymology

From the Late Middle English term "accomptable," derived from the Latin "computare" (to compute, to calculate), meaning "able to be accounted for." The suffix "-able" means "able to be," hence "accountable" means "able to be accounted for" or "responsible for one’s actions."

Synonyms

• Responsible
• Answerable
• Liable
• Obligated
• Guilty

Antonyms

• Irresponsible
• Unaccountable
• Blameless
• Exempt
• Unreliable

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

• In American English, the pronunciation emphasizes the second syllable: /əˈkaʊntəbl/.
• In British English, the word is pronounced with a more even stress across the syllables: /əˈkaʊntəbl/.

Historical Usage

The concept of accountability has evolved significantly over time, becoming central to modern business, governance, and legal structures. The word "accountable" was first recorded in the 15th century, and its usage initially referred to financial accountability. By the 18th century, it began to take on broader meanings, including personal responsibility for actions and decisions.

Cultural Nuances

In some cultures, the concept of being "accountable" extends beyond personal responsibility to include social or familial duties. In Western business cultures, accountability is often linked to performance reviews, productivity, and outcomes, while in some Eastern cultures, accountability may also carry a communal or collective responsibility aspect. The nuances of accountability can differ based on organizational or societal values.

More Information

The concept of accountability is crucial in both personal and professional settings. It involves not only being answerable for one's actions but also demonstrating transparency, reliability, and a willingness to accept the consequences of one's decisions. In modern organizations, accountability is often linked to leadership roles, where individuals are expected to set examples, manage resources effectively, and uphold ethical standards. In the legal and political spheres, accountability is a cornerstone of justice and governance, ensuring that individuals and institutions can be held responsible for their actions.