How to pronounce liability
Say it like ly-uh-BIL-ih-tee. Liability has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (BIL).
- ly
- uh
- BIL
- ih
- tee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Liability pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- lyGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- BILSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- teeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of liability
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: ly-uh-BIL-ih-tee.
What does liability mean?
- An obligation, debt or responsibility owed to someone.
- Any kind of debt recorded on the right-hand side of a balance sheet.
- 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.
Where does liability come from?
From liable + -ity.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- indebtedness
- financial obligation
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with liability
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of liability.
- facility
- stability
- disability
- inability
- credibility
- visibility
- sustainability
- eligibility
- instability
- vulnerability
Questions about saying liability
How do you pronounce liability?
Say ly-uh-BIL-ih-tee. The American pronunciation is /ˌlaɪəˈbɪlɪti/. In British English it is /ˌlaɪəˈbɪlɪti/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in liability?
Liability has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (BIL). Broken into parts: ly · uh · BIL · ih · tee.
Is liability pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˌlaɪəˈbɪlɪti/ (ly-uh-BIL-ih-tee).