liable
- 01 C1 Advanced
legally responsible for something, such as paying for damage or a mistake.
legally responsible or answerable for an act, debt, or damage. Often takes the preposition 'for'.
Simple“If you break the window, you are liable for the cost of the repair.”
In context“The court ruled that the manufacturer was strictly liable for the injuries caused by the defective component, regardless of their safety protocols.”
UsageUsually follows the verb 'to be' and takes the preposition 'for'.
Synonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
likely to do something or have something happen to you, usually something bad.
subject to or likely to experience a particular negative contingency or state.
Simple“The old wooden bridge is liable to collapse if too many cars use it.”
In context“In this humid climate, iron railings are liable to rust within a few months if they are not treated with protective paint.”
UsageCommonly followed by 'to' and an infinitive verb.
Teacher's tipWhile 'likely' is neutral, 'liable' almost always introduces a negative or unwanted outcome.
SynonymsAntonyms
Usage liable for sexually
“She’s in flight from her past and liable to combust any second.”
“That movement seeks court rulings to hold corporations liable for their emissions and the resulting warming of Earth’s atmosphere.”
From Old French lier (“to bind”), from Latin ligare (“to bind, to tie”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.