liable Definition
liable (lī′ə bəl; often, esp. for 3, lī′bəl)
adjective
- legally bound or obligated, as to make good any loss or damage that occurs in a transaction; responsible
- likely to have, suffer from, etc.; exposed to or subject to liable to heart attacks
- subject to the possibility of; likely (to do, have, get, etc. something unpleasant or unwanted) liable to cause hard feelings
Etymology: prob. via Anglo-Fr < OFr lier, to bind < L ligare, to bind (see ligature) + -able
liable Synonyms
liable
modif.
Responsible
answerable, subject, accountable; see responsible 1.Likely
likely, subject, apt, inclined; see likely 4. See syn. study at likely.
liable Usage Examples
Preposition: on
conviction: You may be prosecuted in court and liable on conviction to a substantial fine.
Adjective complement with noun phrase
render: Failure to comply may render a reader liable to be fined at the rate posted in the library.
Modifying Another Word
- vicariously: Chief Officers should be vicariously liable for the actions of their officers.
- severally: Joint and several liability Where two or more people are on the same position in the table, they are jointly and severally liable.
Infinitive complement
- compensate: CA held that the Employer was still liable to compensate him.
- repay: A trustee who benefits from a position of trust without the necessary authority is liable to repay the benefit received.
- reimburse: In cases where trainees fail to provide such a report, they are liable to reimburse the cost of their placement.
- pay: Council Tax Payment Oxford City Council decides who is liable to pay the Council Tax at each property in the City.
- indemnify: In the litigation which ensued, Pilot Russell moved for summary judgment dismissing the claims against him and holding Mormac liable to indemnify him.
- deteriorate: Goods which by reason of their nature cannot be returned or are liable to deteriorate rapidly.
Used with adjective complement
- hold: You may be held liable for the content you post.
- remain: In both instances the Member remains liable to the Chamber for the arrears.
- become: There is no minimum age at which a person becomes liable to pay income tax.
Preposition: in
respect: The owner shall not be liable in respect of: Loss of profits, delay or any consequential loss.
Preposition: for
- loss: We cannot be liable for any loss or damage which may arise from the use of such third party web sites.
- damage: Damage Students will be liable for any damage done by them to University property.
- breach: Webb Aviation shall not be liable for the breach of any rights held by persons or objects depicted in the photographic material.
- reliance: Under no circumstances shall the University be liable for any reliance by you on any information which is made available on the website.
- delay: The company cannot be liable for delays or inconveniences caused by reasons beyond our control.
- debt: A director of a company may in certain circumstances be made liable for the debts of the company of which he is a director.

