Dictionary.com

liability

[ lahy-uh-bil-i-tee ]
/ ˌlaɪ əˈbɪl ɪ ti /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: liability / liabilities on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural li·a·bil·i·ties.
liabilities,
  1. Finance. moneys owed; debts or pecuniary obligations (opposed to assets).
  2. Accounting. liabilities as detailed on a balance sheet, especially in relation to assets and capital.
something disadvantageous: His lack of education is his biggest liability.
Also li·a·ble·ness [lahy-uh-buhl-nis]. /ˈlaɪ ə bəl nɪs/. the state or quality of being liable: liability to disease.
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!
Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

Origin of liability

First recorded in 1785–95; li(able) + -ability

OTHER WORDS FROM liability

non·li·a·bil·i·ty, noun, plural non·li·a·bil·i·ties.pre·li·a·bil·i·ty, noun, plural pre·li·a·bil·i·ties.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use liability in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for liability

liability
/ (ˌlaɪəˈbɪlɪtɪ) /

noun plural -ties
the state of being liable
a financial obligation
a hindrance or disadvantage
likelihood or probability
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for liability

liability

An obligation or debt.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
FEEDBACK