Attaches to nouns to express the quality of the response or feeling one gets from something. Often used in words like 手応え (tangible response) or 歯応え (chewy texture).
See also: 応え
このパンは歯応えがあっておいしい。
This bread has a nice chewy texture and is delicious.
彼の返事には手応えが感じられなかった。
I didn't feel any real response in his reply.
worth ...ing; satisfying to ...
Attaches to the continuative form of verbs to mean 'worth doing' or 'rewarding to do'. Common examples include 見応え (worth watching), 読み応え (worth reading), and やり応え (worth doing).
この映画は見応えがあった。
This movie was worth watching.
あの小説はとても読み応えがある。
That novel is very satisfying to read.
甲斐 (as the suffix ～がい, e.g. やりがい) and 応え (as in やり応え) both attach to verb stems to mean 'worth doing', though がい is somewhat more common in casual speech.
Written identically, 応え read いらえ is an old word meaning 'reply', while 応え read ごたえ is the suffix meaning 'response/worth-doing' seen in words like 手応え; the reading alone distinguishes them.
答え means an answer or solution, while 応え (same pronunciation) means a response or effect, as in 手応え (a feeling of response); they are easily confused because of the identical reading.
tactile feedback; feeling of resistance · positive response; impact; effect
worth seeing; impressive to watch
worthwhile reading; substantial read
chewy texture; chewiness
worthiness as an opponent; challenge
Derived from the verb 応える (こたえる, to respond, to be worth it), with the initial consonant voiced (連濁) when used as a suffix.