What does liable mean?
Liable is an adjective with two closely related uses. In legal language, it means that someone or something is legally responsible for a loss, debt, injury, or other consequence: a driver may be liable for damage caused by an accident. In ordinary speech, it means likely to experience or do something, especially something unwelcome, as in “The region is liable to floods” or “Older screens are liable to develop faults.” The word often carries a negative implication because it points to responsibility or risk. It is especially common in formal and legal contexts, but it is also widely understood in everyday English. The related noun liability refers to legal responsibility, while liabilities can mean financial obligations or disadvantages.
adjectiveLegally responsible for something, or likely to experience or do something, especially something undesirable.
- Legally responsible for something, especially a debt, loss, injury, or damage.
- Likely or prone to experience or do something, usually something undesirable.
"The company was liable for the damage caused by its faulty equipment."
"Landowners can be liable for pollution that enters a neighboring property."
"The old bridge is liable to collapse if it is not repaired."
Liable has a double life: it can describe legal responsibility in court and the likelihood of rain, accidents, or other unwelcome events.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does liable come from?
Liable entered English in the early 16th century from French liable, which was derived from Latin labilis, meaning “prone to fall” or “liable to slip or change.” The Latin adjective was formed from labi, “to glide, fall, or lapse,” a root also reflected in words such as lapse and labile. The modern legal sense developed from the earlier idea of being subject to legal or moral responsibility.
Related word forms
How liable is actually used
In legal contexts, “liable for” is especially common. In everyday usage, “liable to” often suggests a strong likelihood of an unfortunate outcome, while “liable for” can identify the person or organization responsible for a loss.
Easily confused with liable
Liable means legally responsible or exposed to a risk, while likely means probable or expected.
Liable is an adjective describing legal responsibility or exposure to something, whereas libel is a harmful published statement.