Top Highlights

• a reaction to a question, letter, phone call, etc.: in answer to In answer to your letter of 30 May, I am writing to accept your offer of £3,575 in compensation. The minister promised to give a written answer to the MP's detailed question. We've emailed him asking him if he's free on that date but we haven't had an answer yet. I've just called him ...
• a solution to a problem: It's a difficult situation and I don't know what the answer is. There's no easy answer to the problem.
• to say, write, or do something as a reaction to a question, letter, etc.: answer a question You still haven't answered my question: why do you need to borrow my car? I can't answer (you) without more detailed information. I texted asking whether he'd be coming to the party but he hasn't answered yet. [ + speech ] "I'd love to have dinner with you, ...
• something said or written in reaction to a question or statement: If you are asking me if I want to go into business with you, the answer is no. I called several times, but there was no answer.
• An answer is also a reaction to a question asked as part of a test: I think I got most of the answers right on the exam.

Domain