liability
gb/lˌaɪəbˈɪlɪti/ us/lˌaɪəbˈɪlɪti/
B2
English
~ 2000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
state
1
Legal responsibility for something
The state of having to take responsibility by law for something bad that happens.
Usage pattern:
liability for [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'liability' with 'ability', but they have unrelated meanings.
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.)
Collocations
legal liability
|liability for damages
|accept liability
|limit liability
|liability insurance
Themes
law
|business
Examples
- The company accepted liability for the defective products.
- Drivers have liability for any accidents they cause.
- 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.
- You have liability for accidents you cause.
- The company took liability for the problem.
- She has no liability under this agreement.
Noun
B2
entity
2
Something causing problems or harm
A person or thing that makes trouble or causes problems.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is a liability
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with financial liabilities, but here it refers to being a disadvantage.
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.)
Collocations
be a liability
|become a liability
|seen as a liability
Themes
daily life
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- His poor communication skills made him a liability to the team.
- The old computer system has become a liability for the business.
- She turned out to be more of a liability than an asset.
Learner examples
- He is a liability to the team.
- This car is a liability because it breaks a lot.
- The machine is a liability for the company.
Noun
technical
C1
entity
3
Financial debt or obligation
Money that a person or company must pay to someone else.
Usage pattern:
liabilities on [someone's] balance sheet
Common mistake:
Learners might confuse 'liabilities' in accounting with general responsibilities; in finance it refers specifically to debts and obligations.
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.)
Collocations
current liabilities
|long-term liabilities
|reduce liabilities
Themes
business
|finance
Examples
- The company's liabilities exceeded its assets.
- They reported total liabilities of $5 million.
- Current liabilities must be paid within one year.
Learner examples
- The company has big liabilities.
- He paid all his liabilities last year.
- Liabilities are on the right side of the balance sheet.
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.