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

Heat domes also cause "dry thunderstorms" where rain evaporates before hitting the surface and lightning strikes are liable to trigger wildfires.

From Barron's • Jul. 10, 2026

Last month, a federal court said that caseworkers may be held personally liable for taking a child from a parent without prior judicial review because it is such a clear violation of the Constitution.

From Slate • Jul. 7, 2026

Justice Lokur added that despite Indian law protecting social media companies from being held liable for content uploaded by users, "the platform cannot, cannot shirk its responsibility".

From BBC • Jul. 3, 2026

The court said the company cannot be held liable under state law for failing to warn consumers about the alleged risk when the Environmental Protection Agency had not required such a label.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 25, 2026

One of the policemen said, “Old woman, you’ll have to get out of here. You’re liable to get knocked down when we take him through the door.”

From "Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad" by Ann Petry

Related Words

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