liable
pronunciation
How to pronounce liable in British English:
UK [ˈlaɪəbl]
How to pronounce liable in American English:
US [ˈlaɪəbl]
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- Adjective:
- at risk of or subject to experiencing something usually unpleasant
- subject to legal action
- (often followed by `to') likely to be affected with
- held legally responsible
Word Origin
- liable
- liable: [15] Today’s main meaning of liable, ‘likely to’, is a comparatively recent development. Its primary sense is ‘legally bound or obliged’ (as in ‘liable for someone else’s debts’), which goes right back to the word’s ultimate source, Latin ligāre ‘tie’. Its Old French descendant lier is assumed to have give rise to an Anglo-Norman derivative *liable, literally ‘bindable’, which English took over.Other English words that come ultimately from ligāre include ally, liaison [17], lien [16] (etymologically a ‘bond’), ligament [14], ligature [14], oblige, religion, and rely.=> ally, liaison, lien, ligament, ligature, oblige, religion, rely
- liable (adj.)
- mid-15c., "bound or obliged by law," probably from Anglo-French *liable, from Old French lier "to bind, tie up, fasten, tether; bind by obligation," from Latin ligare "to bind, to tie" (see ligament). With -able. General sense of "exposed to" (something undesirable) is from 1590s. Incorrect use for "likely" is attested by 1886.
Synonym
Example
- 1. However , they had the disadvantage of being liable to confidence runs .
- 2. But they are as sensitive to assumptions as any other model and just as liable to fail .
- 3. The new protectionism is always liable to be justified as " retaliation " for the bad faith of foreigners .
- 4. But the sunken roads are still liable to flood , and there are almost no houses or shops .
- 5. If you were stuck for your entire life in the middle seat of a crowded airplane , do you think you might be liable catch a fellow passenger 's cold ?