liability
English meaning: Liability
Definition
A legal or financial responsibility, debt, or something that puts one at a disadvantage.
Example
“The company accepted full liability for the accident and agreed to pay compensation.”
Another example: “His short temper made him a liability during delicate negotiations.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A noun with two main senses: a legal or financial obligation/debt ('assets and liabilities'), and a person or thing that is a disadvantage ('a liability to the team'). Common in law, finance and everyday speech.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From 'liable' plus '-ity', from Old French 'lier' (to bind).
Synonyms
- responsibility
- debt
- burden
- indebtedness
- pecuniary obligation
- financial obligation
Antonyms / Opposites
Related Words
Common Collocations
- legal liability
- limited liability
- liability insurance
- tax liability
- a liability to
Word Forms
liability (n); liabilities (pl); liable (adj)
Word Tools
Tools & Calculators
Maturity = 146,932.81 · Interest earned = 46,932.81
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B