Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

accountable

/əˈkaʊntəbl̩/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.90 in modern English

Syllables: ac-count-able
IPA: /əˈkaʊntəbl̩/

17

Scrabble Score

11

Letters

4

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Obliged, when called upon, to answer (for one’s deeds); answerable.

adj

Obliged to keep accurate records (of property or funds).

adj

Liable to be called on to render an account.

adj

Capable of being accounted for; explicable; explainable.

Formal

Example Sentences

"Everyone is accountable to God for their conduct."
"You will be held accountable for your misdemeanors."
""Because the railway is economically and socially vital, it receives large amounts of public money and must therefore ultimately be accountable to government. [...]"
"True religion . . . intelligible, rational, and accountable, -- not a burden but a privilege."

Etymology

From account + -able. First attested around 1400.

Word Breakdown

Suffix: account

Usage

Formal

Inflected Forms

more accountable (comparative) most accountable (superlative)

Derived Forms

accountability accountableness accountably nonaccountable unaccountable

Phrases

accountable depot accountable disbursing officer accountable mail accountable officer hold to account

Frequently Paired Words

hold to account

Synonyms

amenable responsible liable answerable

Rhymes With

insurmountable unaccountable countable

Questions

How do you pronounce accountable?: The recorded pronunciation is /əˈkaʊntəbl̩/.
What does accountable mean?: Obliged, when called upon, to answer (for one’s deeds); answerable.
Where does accountable come from?: From account + -able. First attested around 1400.

How to pronounce accountable

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “accountable”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/əˈkaʊntəbl̩/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “accountable”.
Repeat and practice — Say “accountable” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.