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Payable vs Liable - What's the difference?

payable | liable |

As adjectives the difference between payable and liable

is that payable is that which is to be paid while liable is bound or obliged in law or equity; responsible; answerable.

As a noun payable

is (plural) debts owed by a business; liabilities.

payable

English

Noun

  • (plural) Debts owed by a business; liabilities.
  • A thing that may be paid.

    • Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • That which is to be paid.
    • Is value added tax payable on planning application fees?
  • Able to be paid.
  • Of a mine etc.: capable of yielding profit; profitable.

    • Derived terms

    *payability *payably

    liable

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Bound or obliged in law or equity; responsible; answerable.
    • The surety is liable for the debt of his principal.
  • * 1748 . David Hume. Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral. London: Oxford University Press, 1973. ยง 34.
    • The passion for philosophy, like that for religion, seems liable to this inconvenience
  • Exposed to a certain contingency or casualty, more or less probable.
  • Likely.
    • Someone is liable to slip on your icy sidewalk.

    Related terms

    * liability * reliable

    Anagrams

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