How to Pronounce Responsible

To pronounce "responsible", say RESP-ons-ibl-e — 4 syllables, IPA /ɹɪˈspɒnsəbl̩/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

responsible

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

If an accent sounds the same, your device is missing that voice — it falls back to the closest one.

Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

Practice: Record & Compare

Record yourself saying responsible, then compare with the target. Your audio stays on this device — nothing is uploaded.

Syllables

Letters

/ɹɪˈspɒnsəbl̩/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “responsible”

"responsible" has 4 syllables: resp-ons-ibl-e. It rhymes with irresponsible, if that helps it stick.

What does responsible mean?

noun

The individual who bears the responsibility for something.
An actor taking on the lesser roles in repertory theatre.

adjective

(followed by "for") Having the duty of taking care of something; answerable for an act performed or for its consequences; accountable; amenable, especially legally or politically.
“Parents are responsible for their child's behaviour.”
(followed by "for") Being a primary cause of a situation or action and thus able to be blamed or credited for it.
“Who is responsible for this mess?”

Antonyms

irresponsible

Hear “responsible” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with responsible

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

irresponsible

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "responsible"?▾

"Responsible" has 4 syllables: resp · ons · ibl · e.

What is the IPA transcription of "responsible"?▾

The IPA transcription of "responsible" is /ɹɪˈspɒnsəbl̩/.

What does "responsible" mean?▾

Responsible: The individual who bears the responsibility for something.

Want the definition, translations into 8 languages, and read-aloud for full sentences?

Open “responsible” in the full dictionary →