liability
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for liability, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A legal or financial responsibility for a debt, loss, or obligation.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use liability
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From "liable" + -ity, ultimately from Latin ligare ("to bind"), the same root that gives us "ligament" and "oblige."
Full origin of liability →Frequently asked questions
What does “liability” mean?
The word “liability” means a legal or financial responsibility for a debt, loss, or obligation. In plain terms, legal or financial responsibility for something — or, informally, someone who causes more problems than they solve.
How do you pronounce “liability”?
“Liability” is pronounced leye-uh-BIH-lih-tee (/laɪəˈbɪlɪti/ in IPA).
How do you use “liability” in a sentence?
Here is “liability” used in a sentence: “The driver was found to have liability for the accident.”
What part of speech is “liability”?
“Liability” is a noun.
Where does the word “liability” come from?
The word “liability” comes from Latin. From "liable" + -ity, ultimately from Latin ligare ("to bind"), the same root that gives us "ligament" and "oblige.".
Is “liability” a common word?
“Liability” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “liability” have?
“Liability” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a legal or financial responsibility for a debt, loss, or obligation.
What is the difference between a liability and an asset?
A liability is a legal or financial responsibility for a debt, loss, or obligation, meaning something you owe. An asset is something of value that you own, so the two sit on opposite sides of a balance sheet, with assets minus liabilities showing net worth.
What is the difference between liability and responsibility?
Liability specifically refers to legal or financial accountability for a debt, loss, or obligation, often with binding consequences. Responsibility is broader and can describe any duty or task, without necessarily implying that the law can enforce it.
When is 'liability' used to describe a person?
Besides its financial meaning, 'liability' can describe a person or thing that causes trouble or holds a group back, as in 'his temper made him a liability to the team.' This use is figurative and carries a negative sense.
What are common collocations with 'liability'?
Common phrases include 'limited liability,' 'liability insurance,' 'personal liability,' and 'assume liability.' These usually appear in legal, financial, and business contexts where responsibility for a debt or loss is at stake.