liable
/ˈlaɪ̯əbəl/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
Bound or obliged in law or equity; responsible; answerable.
Adjective
Examples
The surety is liable for the debt of his principal.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
Subject; susceptible; prone.
Adjective
Examples
This crime is liable to imprisonment for life.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “liable” mean?
Bound or obliged in law or equity; responsible; answerable.
Is “liable” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.