Transcription
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
-
- [an-ser, ahn- bak]
- /ˈæn sər, ˈɑn- bæk/
- /ˈɑːnsə(r) bæk/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [an-ser, ahn- bak]
- /ˈæn sər, ˈɑn- bæk/
Definitions of answer back words
- phrasal verb answer back If someone, especially a child, answers back, they speak rudely to you when you speak to them. 3
- verb answer back to reply rudely to (a person, esp someone in authority) when one is expected to remain silent 3
- noun answer back to reply forcefully, rudely, or impertinently; talk back 3
- noun answer back a spoken or written reply or response to a question, request, letter, etc.: He sent an answer to my letter promptly. 1
- noun answer back a correct response to a question asked to test one's knowledge. 1
- noun answer back an equivalent or approximation: a singing group that tried to be the French answer to the Beatles. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of answer back
First appearance:
before 900 One of the 4% oldest English words
before 900; Middle English andswerien, Old English andswerian, andswarian derivative of andswaru an answer, equivalent to and- opposite, facing (cf. and, along) + Germanic *swarō, derivative of swear
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Answer back
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
answer back popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 98% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
answer back usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for answer back
verb answer back
- respond — to reply or answer in words: to respond briefly to a question.
- claim — If you say that someone claims that something is true, you mean they say that it is true but you are not sure whether or not they are telling the truth.
- deny — When you deny something, you state that it is not true.
- resolve — to come to a definite or earnest decision about; determine (to do something): I have resolved that I shall live to the full.
- return — to go or come back, as to a former place, position, or state: to return from abroad; to return to public office; to return to work.
noun answer back
- rejoinder — an answer to a reply; response.
- repartee — a quick, witty reply.
- quip — a clever or witty remark or comment.
- retaliation — the act of retaliating; return of like for like; reprisal.
- riposte — a quick, sharp return in speech or action; counterstroke: a brilliant riposte to an insult.
Antonyms for answer back
verb answer back
- request — the act of asking for something to be given or done, especially as a favor or courtesy; solicitation or petition: At his request, they left.
- deny — When you deny something, you state that it is not true.
- ignore — to refrain from noticing or recognizing: to ignore insulting remarks.
- renounce — to give up or put aside voluntarily: to renounce worldly pleasures.
- prove — to establish the truth or genuineness of, as by evidence or argument: to prove one's claim.
noun answer back
- failure — an act or instance of failing or proving unsuccessful; lack of success: His effort ended in failure. The campaign was a failure.
See also
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