liability
gb/lˌaɪəbˈɪlɪti/ us/lˌaɪəbˈɪlɪti/
B2
English
~ 2000
jogi felelősség, problémaforrás, teher, bajkeverő, kockázati tényező, kötelezettség, tartozás
NOUN
B2
1
Usage pattern:
liability for [something]
The company accepted liability for the defective products.
A vállalat vállalta a felelősséget a hibás termékekért.
Drivers have liability for any accidents they cause.
A járművezetőket felelősség terheli az általuk okozott balesetekért.
He denied any liability for the damage to the equipment.
The contract limits the seller's liability in certain cases.
Learner examples
The store has liability if the food makes people sick.
Az üzletet felelősség terheli, ha az ételtől az emberek megbetegszenek.
You have liability for accidents you cause.
Téged terhel a felelősség az általad okozott balesetekért.
The company took liability for the problem.
She has no liability under this agreement.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'liability' with 'ability', but they have unrelated meanings.
Meaning
Legal responsibility for something
Collocations
legal liability
|liability for damages
|accept liability
|limit liability
|liability insurance
Synonyms
responsibility (A more general term that can refer to moral or practical duties, not just legal ones.)
Antonyms
immunity (Indicates exemption from legal responsibility or obligation.)
Themes
law
|business
Definition
The state of having to take responsibility by law for something bad that happens.
The state of being legally responsible for something, especially for paying for damage or injury.
NOUN
B2
2
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is a liability
His poor communication skills made him a liability to the team.
Gyenge kommunikációs készségei miatt teherré vált a csapat számára.
The old computer system has become a liability for the business.
A régi számítógépes rendszer teherré vált a vállalkozás számára.
She turned out to be more of a liability than an asset.
Learner examples
He is a liability to the team.
Ő teher a csapat számára.
This car is a liability because it breaks a lot.
Ez az autó csak teher, mert gyakran elromlik.
The machine is a liability for the company.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with financial liabilities, but here it refers to being a disadvantage.
Meaning
Something causing problems or harm
Collocations
be a liability
|become a liability
|seen as a liability
Synonyms
burden (Suggests something heavy or difficult to deal with, not necessarily harmful.)
Antonyms
asset (Refers to someone or something that is useful and helpful, the opposite of a liability in this sense.)
Themes
daily life
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A person or thing that makes trouble or causes problems.
A person or thing that is likely to cause problems, harm, or embarrassment.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
3
tartozás
B1
Usage pattern:
liabilities on [someone's] balance sheet
The company's liabilities exceeded its assets.
A vállalat kötelezettségei meghaladták az eszközeit.
They reported total liabilities of $5 million.
Összes kötelezettségként 5 millió dollárt mutattak ki.
Current liabilities must be paid within one year.
Learner examples
The company has big liabilities.
A vállalatnak nagy összegű kötelezettségei vannak.
He paid all his liabilities last year.
Tavaly minden tartozását kifizette.
Liabilities are on the right side of the balance sheet.
Common mistake:
Learners might confuse 'liabilities' in accounting with general responsibilities; in finance it refers specifically to debts and obligations.
Meaning
Financial debt or obligation
Collocations
current liabilities
|long-term liabilities
|reduce liabilities
Synonyms
debt (A more general term for money owed; not limited to accounting terminology.)
Antonyms
asset (In accounting, assets are resources owned, while liabilities are obligations owed.)
Themes
business
|finance
Definition
Money that a person or company must pay to someone else.
A sum of money owed by a person or organization, recorded as a debt in accounting.
Grammar
Dictionary form
liability
IPA
GB/lˌaɪəbˈɪlɪti/
US/lˌaɪəbˈɪlɪti/
Syllables & stress
li - ab - il - ity (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ab)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: liability
- Plural: liabilities, liability
Word family
Forms
liabilities
noun
Core family
liable
adjective C1
Expressions
accept liability
1/æksˈɛpt lˌaɪəbˈɪlɪti/
fixed phrase
Agree to take legal responsibility
To say you are responsible by law for something bad that happened.
Examples
- The airline accepted liability for the lost baggage.
- He refused to accept liability for the accident.
admit liability
1/ədmˈɪt lˌaɪəbˈɪlɪti/
fixed phrase
Acknowledge legal responsibility
To say you are legally responsible for something bad that happened.
Examples
- The company admitted liability after the safety inspection revealed flaws.
- She admitted liability in writing.
limited liability
1/lˈɪmɪtɪd lˌaɪəbˈɪlɪti/
fixed phrase
technical
Restriction on financial loss in law
A rule that says owners of a company are only responsible for its debts up to the money they put in.
Examples
- Limited liability protects shareholders from losing more than they invested.
- Many small businesses choose limited liability status to reduce personal risk.
product liability
1/pɹˈɑdʌkt lˌaɪəbˈɪlɪti/
fixed phrase
technical
Responsibility for harm caused by goods
When a company must pay if its product hurts someone or causes damage.
Examples
- Product liability cases can be costly for manufacturers.
- The new law strengthens product liability rules.