Liable Meaning
/ˈlaɪ̯əbəl/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjBound or obliged in law or equity; responsible; answerable.
adjSubject; susceptible; prone.
Sentence Examples
We are liable for the damage.
We are liable to err.
You will be liable for any damage caused.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The driver is ____ for the accident because he ran a red light.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
You may be held ____ for any damage that is caused to the rented car while you are driving it this weekend.
Word Origin & History
From Old French lier (“to bind”), from Latin ligō, ligāre (“to bind, to tie”). Compare typologically Russian обя́занный (objázannyj), обяза́тельный (objazátelʹnyj) (akin to вяза́ть (vjazátʹ)).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"He inveighed against the folly of making oneself liable for the debts of others; vented many bitter execrations against the brother; and concluded with wishing something could be done for the unfortunate family.
The passion for philosophy, like that for religion, seems liable to this inconvenience"
— 1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC:
"The document states that despite its ongoing advancements, generative AI is liable to the United States’s current copyright principles, which take a strict stance on what material—human- or machine-made—qualifies for protection."
— 2025 January 30, Tessa Solomon, “AI Art Lacking ‘Human Expression’ Cannot Be Copyrighted, US Officials Say”, in ARTnews:
"☞ This word [earth] is liable to a coarſe vulgar pronunciation, as if written Urth;[…]"
— 1791, John Walker, A Critical Pronouncing Dictionary […] , London: Sold by G. G. J. and J. Robinſon, Paternoſter Row; and T. Cadell, in the Strand, →OCLC, page 211:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The driver is ____ for the accident because he ran a red light.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
You may be held ____ for any damage that is caused to the rented car while you are driving it this weekend.