Word
liable
Phoneticsli·able
US/ˈɫaɪəbəɫ/
UK/lˈaɪəbəl/
Definitions
01legally responsible
C1 · Advanced Law Formal · Technical
adj. legally responsible for something, such as paying for damage or a mistake.
adj. legally responsible or answerable for an act, debt, or damage. Often takes the preposition 'for'.
“If you break the window, you are liable for the cost of the repair.”
“The court ruled that the manufacturer was strictly liable for the injuries caused by the defective component, regardless of their safety protocols.”
Usage
Usually follows the verb 'to be' and takes the preposition 'for'.
Synonyms
02likely to experience something
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. likely to do something or have something happen to you, usually something bad.
adj. subject to or likely to experience a particular negative contingency or state.
“The old wooden bridge is liable to collapse if too many cars use it.”
“In this humid climate, iron railings are liable to rust within a few months if they are not treated with protective paint.”
Usage
Commonly followed by 'to' and an infinitive verb.
Teaching tip
While 'likely' is neutral, 'liable' almost always introduces a negative or unwanted outcome.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “liable” in context.
Verb
01. be held liable
“The company could be held liable for any damages caused by the faulty equipment.”
verb + adj
02. remain liable for the debt
“Even after the partnership dissolved, both directors remained liable for the outstanding debt.”
verb + adj + prep + adj + noun
Adjective
03. liable to change
“The weather in this region is notoriously liable to change without warning.”
adj + infinitive
04. liable to prosecution
“Anyone found trespassing on the construction site will be liable to prosecution.”
adj + prep + noun
05. personally liable
“As a sole trader, you are personally liable for all business losses.”
adv + adj
Adverb
06. potentially liable for damages
“The hospital was potentially liable for damages following the surgical error.”
adv + adj + prep + noun
07. strictly liable
“Under the new environmental laws, manufacturers are strictly liable for the waste they produce.”
adv + adj
08. liable for sexually
Real-World Examples
“That movement seeks court rulings to hold corporations liable for their emissions and the resulting warming of Earth’s atmosphere.” “She’s in flight from her past and liable to combust any second.” Etymology
From Old French lier (“to bind”), from Latin ligare (“to bind, to tie”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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