LIABLE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does liable mean? 

• LIABLE (adjective)
  The adjective LIABLE has 4 senses:

1. at risk of or subject to experiencing something usually unpleasant

2. subject to legal action

3. (often followed by 'to') likely to be affected with

4. held legally responsible

  Familiarity information: LIABLE used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• LIABLE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

At risk of or subject to experiencing something usually unpleasant

Synonyms:

apt; liable

Context example:

she is liable to forget

Similar:

likely (has a good chance of being the case or of coming about)

Derivation:

liability (the quality of being something that holds you back)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Subject to legal action

Context example:

liable to criminal charges

Similar:

nonexempt ((of persons) not exempt from an obligation or liability)

Sense 3

Meaning:

(often followed by 'to') likely to be affected with

Synonyms:

liable; nonimmune; nonresistant; unresistant

Context example:

liable to diabetes

Similar:

susceptible ((often followed by 'of' or 'to') yielding readily to or capable of)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Held legally responsible

Context example:

men between the ages of 18 and 35 were liable for military service

Similar:

responsible (worthy of or requiring responsibility or trust; or held accountable)

Derivation:

liability (the state of being legally obliged and responsible)

 Context examples 

Anne was considering whether she should venture to suggest that a gown, or a cap, would not be liable to any such misuse, when a knock at the door suspended everything.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

Liable as you have been to severe colds, indeed you ought to be particularly careful, especially at this time of year.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

That sounds a dangerous maxim, sir; because one can see at once that it is liable to abuse.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

I thought it better to wait, however, before making so grave a statement, for of old I knew the sudden changes to which this particular patient was liable.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

“I am liable to these sudden nervous attacks.”

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

"But he's liable to any moment," Scott answered.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

Surely, after doing so, she cannot be imagined liable to any impression of sorrow or of joy on his account—she cannot be interested in any thing that befalls him.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

But we are all liable to error.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

Was it not liable to go to pieces at any moment?

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

I afterwards hired a mule, as the more sure-footed and least liable to receive injury on these rugged roads.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)