1. Replying
   "an answering glance";
   - respondent

1. Say or write something in response
   "answer the question"; "We answered that we would accept the invitation"; "She didn't want to answer";
   - reply, respond
    
2. Give the correct answer or solution to
   "answer a question"; "answer the riddle"
    
3. Respond to a signal
   "answer the door"; "answer the telephone"
    
4. Give a defence or refutation of (a charge) or in (an argument)
   "The defendant answered to all the charges of the prosecution"
    
5. React to a stimulus or command
   "The steering of my new car answers to the slightest touch"
    
6. Understand the meaning of
   "The question concerning the meaning of life cannot be answered";
   - resolve
    
7. Be satisfactory for; meet the requirements of or serve the purpose of
   "This may answer her needs"
    
8. Match or correspond
   "The drawing of the suspect answers to the description the victim gave"
    
9. Be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity
   "A few words would answer";
   - suffice, do, serve
    
10. Be liable or accountable
    "She must answer for her actions"

See also: forthcoming, responsive

Type of: agree, check, conform to, correspond, figure out, fill, fit, fulfil [Brit, Cdn], fulfill [N. Amer], gibe, jibe, lick [N. Amer, informal], live up to, marry, marry up, match, meet, puzzle out, react, rebut, refute, reply, respond, satisfy, say, solve, square, state, suss [Brit, informal], suss out [Brit, informal], tally, tell, unriddle, work, work out

Encyclopedia: Answering