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to answer

to answer

26 3.5
To be enough to meet a need or purpose
  • verb
  • /ˈæn.sɚ/
translation icon : satisfacer
  • answer a need

So generally I say working class people who work in factories in Mexico, it might not answer your question.

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Examples

  • Well, the next 24 hours will answer all our questions.

  • With the help of technology, we must now begin to answer those needs.

    Academic text (2007)
  • Performance standards seek to answer the question, 'How good is good enough?'

    Academic text (1995)
  • Under these circumstances, a case study approach was justified to answer the research question.

    Academic text (2010)
  • Time will tell whether or not this will answer the purpose they intend.

    Academic text (1993)
  • A time of meaninglessness comes when we are unable to answer the larger questions of life: Who am I?

    Academic text (1999)
  • The Help section of every program is usually sufficient, but EID personnel can help answer your questions.

    Academic text (2009)
  • The resources provided in the training course will answer the needs of all participants.

  • Her proposal did not answer the requirements set by the committee for the project.

  • This policy answers the community's demand for better public services.

Synonyms

to do
vsto answer
1.0

Be enough for what is needed

adds the idea of matching a need rather than only being adequate
to serve
vsto answer
1.8

To be used for a specific purpose or to help achieve something

focuses more on adequacy or matching than general usefulness or function
to fit
vsto answer
969 1.0

To match or go well with something

is about being sufficient or adequate rather than only matching shape
to match
vsto answer
841 1.0

To be the same color or style as something else

is about being sufficient or acceptable rather than only resembling something
to fill
vsto answer
785 1.0

To satisfy a need or a requirement

is more about being adequate or corresponding than supplying parts
to meet
vsto answer
660 1.3

To satisfy a rule or need

is about being sufficient or matching a need rather than active fulfilment
to fulfill
vsto answer
  • US
265 2.8

To do what is required or promised

can be less about promise and more about simply being adequate
to satisfy
vsto answer
243 2.8

Meet a rule or requirement

is more about being enough or matching needs than actively providing
to suffice
vsto answer
99 4.7

To be enough for what is needed

also includes matching and similarity rather than only being about amount
to fit the bill
vsto answer
  • Informal
19 3.9

To be right for a specific purpose or need

is the general notion of matching or sufficiency instead of idiomatic use
to fill the bill
vsto answer
2 4.0

To be right for a particular purpose or need

is the general adequacy concept rather than an idiom about suitability

Idioms

2 5.1

A thing or person that gives just what you need in a hard time

A thing or person that gives exactly what someone needs after a long wait

A way of asking people to send a short reply by postcard, often joking

Phrasal Verbs

Open the door when someone knocks or rings the bell to see who is there

38 5.8

Have to explain and take blame if something goes wrong

Compounds

2 8.2

A reply that does not clearly admit or deny an accusation

A clear, simple reply that is honest and easy to understand

8.8

A habit where men confidently give answers even when they do not know enough

How Adequate

to exceed
255 4.1
to satisfy
243 2.8
to answer
26 3.5
to meet
660 1.3
to fall short
64 3.9
to fail
1.0

Surface Forms

answer infinitive
answered past
answered past participle
answering present participle
answers third person singular

Etymology

Answer comes from old English parts and- meaning 'against' and swerian meaning 'to swear' or 'promise'. The 'against' sense later gave the idea of 'matching' or 'meeting' something, so to answer a need is to be enough or to meet that requirement.