liable

Everyday

1. (formal) If you are liable for something, you are responsible by law, for example you must pay for damage. tree →
2. If something is liable to happen, it is likely to happen, usually something bad. tree →
3. (formal) Liable to something means likely to get it or be affected by it, like a fine or an illness. tree →

In the lessons

It appears in rules, signs and formal notices: "Parents are liable for damage". In everyday talk: "That shelf is liable to fall". Phrases: liable for (responsible), liable to (likely), held liable.

Examples

• You will be liable for any damage to the books. tree →
• That old ladder is liable to break. tree →
• Drivers who park here are liable to a fine. tree →
• My little brother is liable to cry when he's tired. tree →
• The shop was held liable for the broken window. tree →
• Ice makes the path liable to be slippery. tree →
• Children are less liable to catch it if they wash their hands. tree →
• Paper is liable to tear when it is wet. tree →
• In the country districts, order was kept on the plantations at night by the knowledge that they were liable to be visited at any moment by the patrols. tree →

Note

Formal register. Pronounced LY-uh-bl. Noun: liability. Trap: do not confuse with "libel" (writing untrue things that harm someone) or "likeable". "Liable for" = responsible; "liable to" = likely to.