liable

/ˈlaɪəbəl/

/ˈlaɪəbəl/

If you drive into someone's fence, you’ll probably be held liable — legally responsible — for fixing it. Liable can also mean “likely,” usually with something unpleasant: "If you don't brush your teeth, they're liable to fall out."

When liable refers to legal responsibility, it's used with "for": "You're liable for the court costs" (meaning you have to pay them). When liable means "likely," it's with "to": "If you build your house on that cliff, it's liable to fall into the river," or "That part of town is liable to mudslides." Don't confuse liable with libel, which is a legal term for slander, or saying something false and damaging about someone.

Definitions of liable

1. adjective

   subject to legal action
   “liable to criminal charges”

   synonyms:

   nonexempt

   (of persons) not exempt from an obligation or liability
2. adjective

   held legally responsible
   “men between the ages of 18 and 35 were liable for military service”

   synonyms:

   responsible

   worthy of or requiring responsibility or trust; or held accountable
3. adjective

   (often followed by 'to') likely to be affected with
   “liable to diabetes”

   synonyms: nonimmune, nonresistant, unresistant

   susceptible

   (often followed by `of' or `to') yielding readily to or capable of
4. adjective

   likely to be or experience something, often something unpleasant
   “she is liable to forget”

   synonyms: apt

   likely

   having a good chance of being the case or of coming about