Reading Theme:
Liability Definition: Legal Duty & Drawback Explained (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：legal responsibility (liability)
liability
/ˌlaɪəˈbɪləti/
n.
Something that you are legally or officially responsible for, especially a debt or an obligation you must fulfill.
legal responsibility
➕
/ˈliːɡəl rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪləti/
n.
A legal or financial obligation that one must fulfill, such as a debt or duty.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
Latin 'ligare' (bind) + '-ability'; state of being bound by obligation.
💡 Mnemonic
Think 'lie ability' - a lie creates legal liability.
📖 Example
On the company's financial report, the loan from the bank is listed as a liability, not an asset.
On the company's financial report, the loan from the bank is listed as a liability, not an asset.
🔗 Collocations
current liability – A debt due within one year.
liability insurance – Insurance that covers legal claims against the policyholder.
limited liability – A legal structure where shareholders' losses are limited to their investment.
🔄 Synonyms
debt (n.) – An amount of money owed.
obligation (n.) – A legal or moral duty.
account payable (n.) – A short-term debt owed to suppliers.
🚫 Antonyms
asset (n.) – A resource owned that has economic value.
🌱 Derivatives
liable (adj.) – Legally responsible; likely to do something.
liableness (n.) – The quality of being liable (rare).
📖 Cultural Story
From Latin 'ligare' (bind) via Old French 'lier'. In law, it denotes a legal obligation or financial debt. Central in accounting and tort law.
Meaning 2：disadvantage (liability)
liability
/ˌlaɪəˈbɪləti/
n.
A person or thing that causes you a lot of problems and difficulties, more of a disadvantage than a help.
disadvantage
➕
/ˌdɪsədˈvɑːntɪdʒ/
n.
A person or thing that causes problems or holds back progress, making success harder.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
He was a great player when he was younger, but his knee injury has become a liability to the team now.
He was a great player when he was younger, but his knee injury has become a liability to the team now.
🔗 Collocations
become a liability – To turn into a disadvantage or burden.
heavy liability – A significant burden or problem.
security liability – A weakness that compromises safety.
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
liable (adj.) – Legally responsible; likely to do something.
liableness (n.) – The quality of being liable (rare).
Wordbook
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