What does "liability" mean?
An obligation, debt or responsibility owed to someone.
Liability
/laɪəˈbɪlɪti/ noun, slang
noun, slang ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An obligation, debt or responsibility owed to someone.
- Grammar: liability is listed as noun, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: financial obligation, a thing for, accountability, accountability.
- Useful contrasts: financial assets, financial resource, italian risorsa.
- Usage evidence: He denies any liability for the damage caused.
How to use "liability"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "liability" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "liability" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "liability" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "liability" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "liability" is acting as noun, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "financial obligation" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "liability", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An obligation, debt or responsibility owed to someone. countable, uncountable
""I was to say that Maw and Meggins disclaim all responsibility," continued the other. "They admit no liability at all, but in consideration of your son's services they wish to present you with a certain sum as compensation.""
- 2 the quality of being something that holds you back wordnet
- 3 An obligation, debt or responsibility owed to someone.; Any item recorded on the right-hand side of a balance sheet. countable, uncountable
- 4 an obligation to pay money to another party wordnet
- 5 A handicap that holds something back, a drawback, someone or something that is a burden to whoever is required to take care of them; a person or action that exposes others to greater risk. countable, uncountable
"Asked if at some point Huma becomes a liability to Hillary, the long-term Clinton insider replies, “It’s like anything else. I don’t think so, but you know I don’t have any idea. Hillary is very loyal, but she’s obviously pragmatic.”"
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 the state of being legally obliged and responsible wordnet
- 7 A handicap that holds something back, a drawback, someone or something that is a burden to whoever is required to take care of them; a person or action that exposes others to greater risk.; A person on a team that is more of a hindrance than a help. countable, derogatory, informal, mildly, uncountable
"You're a bloody liability sometimes!"
- 8 The likelihood of something happening. countable, uncountable
- 9 The condition of being susceptible to something. countable, uncountable
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
financial assetsfinancial resourceitalian risorsalegal right
Example
"He denies any liability for the damage caused."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "liability"?
Common synonyms include: financial obligation, a thing for, accountability, accountability, accountableness, accounts payable.
How do you use "liability" in a sentence?
He denies any liability for the damage caused.
How do you pronounce "liability"?
Pronounced /laɪəˈbɪlɪti/.
Etymology
From liable + -ity.