Liable Definition

līə-bəl

adjective

Legally bound or obligated, as to make good any loss or damage that occurs in a transaction; responsible.

Webster's New World

Likely or prone to have, suffer from, etc.; exposed to or subject to.

Liable to attacks of gout.

Webster's New World

Subject to the possibility of; likely (to do, have, get, etc. something unpleasant or unwanted)

Liable to cause hard feelings, liable to get worse.

Webster's New World

Likely. Often used with reference to an unfavorable outcome.

People who are sleep deprived are liable to make mistakes.

American Heritage

The surety is liable for the debt of his principal.

Wiktionary

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Origin of Liable

Middle English probably from Old French lier to bind from Latin ligāre leig- in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Old French lier (“to bind"), from Latin ligare (“to bind, to tie")

From Wiktionary