Word

accountability

noun C1

/əˌkaʊn.təˈbɪl.ə.ti/

Meanings

noun

the duty to accept responsibility for your actions and to explain or justify them

noun

systems or processes that make people or organizations answerable for performance and results

Definition

Accountability is the obligation to take responsibility for your actions and explain your decisions or results.

Accountability means being responsible for what you do and for the outcomes that follow. It often includes being able to explain your choices, report your progress, and accept consequences when things go wrong. In workplaces and institutions, it helps ensure that people act reliably and transparently.

Examples

I value accountability because it forces me to review my decisions instead of blaming circumstances.
You can build accountability in a remote team by agreeing on clear deliverables and regular check-ins.
He showed real accountability by admitting the mistake early and proposing a workable fix.
She demanded accountability from the contractor after repeated delays disrupted her schedule.
They created a culture of accountability, so problems were reported quickly rather than hidden.

Common mistake

Learners often confuse accountability with responsibility, but accountability emphasizes being answerable and explainable to others for outcomes.