Responsibly

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. In a way that demonstrates recognition of duty and prudence while acknowledging the implications of one's actions
2. Conducting oneself in a manner that reflects careful judgment and consideration of ethical responsibilities and potential outcomes
3. Acting with due care and awareness of the consequences of one’s choices

Etymology: "Responsibly" is a straightforward formation: the adjective "responsible" with the suffix "-ly" added to turn it into an adverb. The adjective itself came into English from French, ultimately from Latin "respondere," meaning "to respond" or "to answer," which gives the root idea of being answerable for one's actions. The suffix has a longer past. It descends from an ancient Germanic element "-līkaz," meaning "having the form or appearance of," which is related to the word "like." Old English shaped it into "-līċe," and Middle English wore it down to "-ly," the same ending found in countless other adverbs such as "quickly" or "gently." So the word traces a simple path: a Latin verb about answering, filtered through French into English as an adjective, then given an adverbial ending from the Germanic family that also produced "like."

Synonyms: carefully, prudently, sensibly, maturely, wisely

Antonyms: irresponsibly, recklessly, carelessly, foolishly, naively