Words / C1

uh-kownt-uh-BIL-uh-tee/əˌkaʊntəˈbɪləti/

Accountability is the duty to explain decisions: public accountability, a lack of accountability. Accountable is the adjective (accountable to / for). Responsibility is wider; accountability stresses answering to someone. Impunity is the opposite idea.

Meaning

The fact of being responsible for decisions and having to explain them.

Examples

• “Public officials must accept accountability for their budgets.”
• “The inquiry called for stronger accountability in the health service.”
• “Without accountability, targets become theatre.”

Good to know

accountability for / of. Adjective: accountable to/for. Wider: responsibility.

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