Answers is the plural noun for responses or solutions to questions or problems. It denotes the information provided to address a query, often in written or spoken form. In everyday use, it can also function as a verb phrase component in sentences like 'she answers the call' or 'they answer the door.'
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"I checked the notes, and the answers to the exam questions were clear."
"The student asked for answers, and the tutor provided explanations."
"She answered the door just as the delivery arrived."
"We need accurate answers, not guesses, to complete the assignment."
The word answers originates from the Old English word on:andswaru, with sweru (to tell, declare) conceptually linked to 'say' or 'speak' in response to a question. Over time, the form evolved through Middle English as 'answer' (noun) and 'to answer' (verb). The root elements trace to Proto-Germanic *andswaru- or *andswarojan, combining elements meaning 'in front' or 'toward' plus 'to say' or 'to speak.' The spelling shift to the standard 'answer' with silent w occurred in English orthographic normalization, while the plural 'answers' followed standard pluralization rules of English nouns. First known uses appear in medieval texts where a speaker provides a reply or solution to a posed question, distinguishing the act of responding from simply raising a question. In modern usage, 'answers' can denote definitive solutions, partial explanations, or routine replies in both written and spoken contexts. The pronunciation shift toward a reduced final vowel in many dialects reflects typical English reductions, aligning with the plural noun form while preserving the core root vowel and consonant structure.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "answers" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "answers" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "answers"
-ers sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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Pronounce it as AN-sərz in US English, with primary stress on the first syllable. IPA: US /ˈæn.sɚz/. The second syllable reduces to a schwa and connects to a voiced /z/ at the end. In careful speech you might hear 'æn-sɚz' with a clearly articulated final /z/. Mouth position: start with a small open front vowel /æ/, then relax the tongue into a mid-central schwa for /ər/ before the final /z/. Audio reference: try repeating 'an-sirs' slowly, then speed up while keeping the /ˈænsərz/ rhythm.
Common mistakes: 1) Overpronouncing the second syllable as /ɜːr/ or /ɝ/ in non-rhotic speakers; fix by reducing to a schwa /ə/ or /ɚ/ depending on dialect. 2) Dropping the 's' at the end, pronouncing /ˈænsər/ instead of /ˈænsərz/. 3) Misplacing the primary stress as /ənˈæs.ɚz/. Correction: keep primary stress on the first syllable and voice the final /z/ clearly: /ˈæn.sɚz/; ensure the tongue stays low-mid for /æ/ and relaxes into /ə/ for the second syllable.
In US English, /ˈæn.sɚz/ with rhotic /ɚ/ in the second syllable. In non-rhotic UK varieties, the second syllable vowels may reduce toward /ə/ and the final /z/ can be devoiced or softly voiced; you might hear /ˈænsəz/ or /ˈɑːnsəz/. Australian English tends toward /ˈænsəz/ with a clearer 'a' in the first vowel, and a softer, less pronounced /ɹ/—and the final /z/ remains voiced. Overall, US tends to a stronger rhotic vowel in the second syllable; UK/AU show more vowel reduction and simpler rhotics.
Two challenges stand out: the rapid cluster of consonants starting with /æ/ and ending with /nzərz/ can trip air flow and blade motion; the final /z/ must be voiced after a reduced schwa, which some learners overshoot or underrepresent. The second syllable is reduced to a small schwa, making /sər/ tricky because it involves transitioning from a tense /s/ to a voiced /ɹ/ or /ɚ/ depending on dialect. Practice: moderate length between syllables, gentle release into the final /z/ while keeping the /æ/ distinct.
The most distinctive feature is the final plural suffix /-z/ after a reduced vowel; the syllable boundary is clean between /ˈæn/ and /sɚ/ or /sər/ depending on dialect. The /n/ occurs before the /s/ in the first syllable; avoid coalescing /n/ with /s/ into a single sound. Focus on a small but audible /n/ followed by a light /s/ onset of the second syllable, then a voiced /z/ at the end.
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