Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Legally responsible or obligated: "Liable" describes being subject to a legal duty or responsibility, often for a debt, payment, or consequence.
   • Likely to experience or be affected by something (usually negative): "Liable" indicates a tendency or susceptibility to something, often an undesirable condition or event.
   • Exposed or subject to a risk or action: "Liable" means being in a position where one is likely to face a particular action, such as legal prosecution.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • The company is liable for any damages caused by its products. (The company is legally responsible for the damages.)
  • If you are not careful, you are liable to make a mistake. (You are likely to make a mistake.)
  • Without a valid ticket, you are liable to a fine. (You are subject to receiving a fine.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be liable for": to be legally responsible for something.
  • The guarantor is liable for the loan if the borrower defaults.
• "to be liable to": to be likely to do or experience something, or to be subject to a rule or penalty.
  • This old bridge is liable to collapse in a storm. (It is likely to collapse.)
  • Violators are liable to prosecution. (They are subject to legal action.)

Variants and Related Words

• Liability (n): The state of being liable; a legal responsibility or obligation; a person or thing that is a disadvantage.
  • The car's poor safety record is a major liability for the manufacturer.
• Unliable (adj): (Rare) Not liable.

Synonyms

• Accountable: Responsible for one's actions and expected to explain them.
• Answerable: Required to justify or be responsible for something.
• Prone: Having a tendency or inclination, especially toward something undesirable.
• Susceptible: Likely to be influenced or harmed by a particular thing.
• Subject (to): Likely or certain to be affected by something.

Related Phrases

• Strict liability: A legal doctrine where a party is held responsible for damages or injuries, regardless of fault or intent.
  • The law imposes strict liability on manufacturers for defective products.

Related Idioms

• "To hold someone liable": To consider or declare someone legally responsible.
  • The court held the landlord liable for the tenant's injuries.

Adjective

1. held legally responsible
   • men between the ages of 18 and 35 were liable for military service
2. (often followed by `to') likely to be affected with
   • liable to diabetes
3. subject to legal action
   • liable to criminal charges
4. at risk of or subject to experiencing something usually unpleasant
   • he is apt to lose
   • she is liable to forget