liable

[lahy-uh-buhl]

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.

liable

/ ˈlaɪəbəl /

adjective

1. legally obliged or responsible; answerable

2. susceptible or exposed; subject

3. probable, likely, or capable

   it's liable to happen soon

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of liable¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of liable¹

C15: perhaps via Anglo-French, from Old French lier to bind, from Latin ligāre

Example Sentences

The trial beginning on Monday must first determine whether carmakers are liable, before a separate compensation phase can follow next year.

Read more on Barron's

This latest revelation is fueling debate over whether the city of L.A. or the state of California can be found civilly liable for its role in the fire.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Among other things, the legislation scales back a requirement that companies publish detailed reports about their putative climate impact, and a separate law making companies legally liable for “environmental impacts” anywhere along their supply chains.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

And when every cell phone vibration is liable to drive you up the wall, the last thing you need is a burst pipe and a giant hole in your ceiling.

Read more on Salon

People who run limited companies are not personally liable for that company's debts.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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