Liability

Definitions

1. An obligation, debt or responsibility owed to someone.
   countable, uncountable
2. Any item recorded on the right-hand side of a balance sheet.
   countable, uncountable
3. A handicap that holds something back, a drawback, someone or something that is a burden to whoever is required to take care of them; a person or action that exposes others to greater risk.
   countable, uncountable
4. A person on a team that is more of a hindrance than a help.
   countable, derogatory, informal, mildly, uncountable
5. The likelihood of something happening.
   countable, uncountable
6. The condition of being susceptible to something.
   countable, uncountable

Equivalents

Examples

“"I was to say⟳ that Maw and Meggins disclaim all responsibility," continued the other. "They admit⟳ no liability at all, but in consideration of your son's services they wish⟳ to present⟳ you with a certain sum as compensation."”

“Those products – known as liability-driven investing, or LDIs – help⟳ offset liabilities and risks on pension funds’ books.”

“Asked if at some point⟳ Huma becomes a liability to Hillary, the long-term Clinton insider replies, “It’s like⟳ anything else. I don’t think⟳ so, but you know⟳ I don’t have⟳ any idea. Hillary is very loyal, but she’s obviously pragmatic.””

“You're a bloody liability sometimes!”

CEFR level