What does accountability mean Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈeɪkʌnˌtəʊbɪl ɪˈtiːn/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

The state of being answerable to someone or something for one’s actions or decisions; the obligation to justify one’s actions or decisions.

Examples

• The company requires its employees to be accountable for their work.
• The manager is accountable to the board of directors for the company’s performance.

Synonyms

• Responsibility
• Obligation

Antonyms

• Blame
• Denial

Etymology

The word “accountability” comes from the Latin “accountare,” meaning “to tell” or “to recount,” and is closely related to the Latin “accountio,” meaning “an accounting” or “a reckoning.”

Usage Notes

Accountability can be used to describe a person’s obligation to be responsible for their actions or decisions, whether in a personal or professional setting.

Cultural References

Accountability has been referenced in popular culture, such as in the TV show “Modern Family,” where accountability is a theme in several episodes.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

“Accountability without authority is irrelevant; authority without accountability is a recipe for disaster.”

Related Words or Phrases

• Accountable
• Responsibility
• Obligation

Collocations

• Accountability report
• Accountability chart

Frequency of Use

Accountability is a commonly used term in modern language, particularly in the context of business and government.

Common Misspellings

Accoutability, Accountabilty