liable

American  

[lahy-uh-buhl] / ˈlaɪ ə bəl /

adjective

1. legally responsible.

   You are liable for the damage caused by your action.

   Synonyms:

   accountable, answerable

2. subject or susceptible.

   to be liable to heart disease.

3. likely or apt.

   He's liable to get angry.

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liable British  

/ ˈlaɪəbəl /

adjective

1. legally obliged or responsible; answerable

2. susceptible or exposed; subject

3. probable, likely, or capable

   it's liable to happen soon

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Usage

Liable is often interchangeable with likely in constructions with a following infinitive where the sense is that of probability: The Sox are liable (or likely ) to sweep the Series. Some usage guides, however, say that liable can be used only in contexts in which the outcome is undesirable: The picnic is liable to be spoiled by rain. This use occurs often in formal writing but not to the exclusion of use in contexts in which the outcome is desirable: The drop in unemployment is liable to stimulate the economy. Apt may also be used in place of liable or likely in all the foregoing examples. See also apt, likely.

The use of liable to to mean likely to was formerly considered incorrect, but is now acceptable

Other Word Forms

• liableness
  noun
• nonliable
  adjective
• preliable
  adjective
• unliable
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of liable

First recorded in 1535–45; from Anglo-French “to bind,” from Latin ligāre ) + -able

Explanation

If you drive into someone's fence, you’ll probably be held liable — legally responsible — for fixing it. Liable can also mean “likely,” usually with something unpleasant: "If you don't brush your teeth, they're liable to fall out." When liable refers to legal responsibility, it's used with "for": "You're liable for the court costs" (meaning you have to pay them). When liable means "likely," it's with "to": "If you build your house on that cliff, it's liable to fall into the river," or "That part of town is liable to mudslides." Don't confuse liable with libel, which is a legal term for slander, or saying something false and damaging about someone.

Example Sentences

Liable to hit the odd obstacle, 'The Dude' has been sent for schooling sessions, supervised by Tindall's wife Zara, a leading equestrian rider and the Queen's grand-daughter.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2014

Tennessee: Judge Finds Utility Liable for Toxic Spill The Tennessee Valley Authority is liable for a huge spill of toxin-laden sludge in 2008 in Tennessee, a federal judge ruled Thursday.

From New York Times • Aug. 23, 2012

However I feel the need to inform these Journalists who decide to print such misinformation that they are treading on Liable waters.

From Forbes • Jan. 26, 2012

Liable to crankiness, preciosity and short wind, a few nevertheless make themselves useful.

From Time Magazine Archive

Liable to fall unconscious and enter, at any moment, into a shameless delirium, Bibi could be trusted neither to cross a street nor board a tram without supervision.

From "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri

Related Words

• apt
• inclined
• prone
• sensitive
• susceptible
• vulnerable