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Glite Dictionary
answering

answering

2.5
A look or gesture given back to show you understand
  • adjective
  • /ˈænsərɪŋ/
translation icon : respondiente
  • She gave him an answering smile as their eyes met.

Examples

  • His answering nod reassured her that he understood.

  • Her answering smile made him feel welcome.

  • An answering cheer rose from the crowd after the announcement.

  • He gave an answering nod when she asked.

  • His answering gesture was all she needed to feel at ease.

  • The child gave an answering wave when she saw her friend.

  • She responded with an answering glance that conveyed her thoughts.

Synonyms

responsive
vsanswering
  • Texting
4 4.4

Involves short replies spoken by a leader and a group

is a single reaction to something rather than a two way exchange

Antonyms

dismissive
43 5.6

Acting as if someone or something is not important

Compounds

answering machine
105 2.7

A machine that picks up phone calls and records messages when people cannot talk

answering prayer
6.6

A wanted result that happens after someone prays or hopes

How Responsive

attentive
61 3.0
responsive
61 4.0
answering
2.5
reserved
3.7
unresponsive
20 4.7

Surface Forms

answering positive

Morphology

answering = answer (transparent) = answer + ing

A regular participial/adjectival formation from the verb 'answer' meaning 'responding' or 'responsive', which learners can derive from the base.

Etymology

Answering comes from answer, which originally meant a 'reply' and was linked to swear ('to promise') because replies in old times were often given as sworn words. So an answering look or smile is simply one that 'replies' or responds to another action.