liable

li-a-ble · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Legally responsible or answerable; bound by law.

  2. 2.

    Likely or prone to do or experience something.

  3. 3.

    Subject to the legal jurisdiction of a court; answerable before the law.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    liable for — legally responsible for
  • •
    liable to — likely to; subject to
  • •
    hold liable — to consider legally responsible
  • •
    criminally liable — subject to criminal prosecution

Related words

Antonyms: exempt, immune, unlikely
See also: accountable, liability, likely, responsible
Synonyms: accountable, likely, prone, responsible

Etymology

From Anglo-French lier ("to bind"), from Latin ligare ("to bind, tie"). The word entered English in the 15th century and developed its legal meaning through use in courts.