Disclaimer: meaning, definitions and examples

⚠️
Add to dictionary

disclaimer

 

[dɪsˈkleɪmər ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

legal

A statement that limits the responsibility of the person or company that made it, often used to avoid legal liability.

Synonyms

caveat, exclusion, waiver.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
disclaimer

Same as the first 'disclaimer' entry.

  • This book comes with a disclaimer that states it is purely fictional.
exclusion

Refers to something that is specifically left out or not included. Often seen in insurance policies, rules, or contracts.

  • The insurance policy has an exclusion for damages caused by natural disasters.
  • He felt hurt by his exclusion from the guest list.
waiver

Describes a formal document in which someone gives up a right or claim. Frequently used in legal contexts or signed before participating in potentially risky activities.

  • Participants must sign a waiver before entering the competition.
  • The company asked employees to sign a waiver for the non-disclosure agreement.
caveat

Indicates a warning or special condition. Commonly used to caution someone about particular aspects or potential issues.

  • You can borrow my car with the caveat that you fill up the gas tank.
  • The teacher gave a caveat that the exam would be challenging.

Examples of usage

  • The company included a disclaimer in their terms and conditions to protect themselves from lawsuits.
  • The disclaimer at the beginning of the movie warned viewers about the graphic content.
Context #2 | Noun

informal

A statement that declares something not to be true or not to be the case.

Synonyms

denial, disavowal, repudiation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
disclaimer

Used to indicate a statement that denies responsibility or ownership. Common in legal or formal contexts to limit liability.

  • The manual includes a disclaimer that the company is not responsible for any injury that results from improper use of the product.
  • Before the video started, there was a disclaimer stating that the content was intended for mature audiences only.
denial

Used to indicate a refusal to accept or acknowledge something. It can also refer to a psychological defense mechanism where a person refuses to accept reality.

  • His denial of the allegations only made matters worse.
  • She was in complete denial about the severity of the situation.
disavowal

Used to indicate a rejection or denial of responsibility, connection, or support for something. Often formal and can carry a strong sense of distancing oneself from something or someone.

  • The politician's disavowal of any ties to the scandal was forceful and public.
  • There was a clear disavowal of the controversial remarks made by the team member.
repudiation

Used to indicate an outright refusal to accept or be associated with, often implying a strong rejection. Common in legal or formal settings to indicate a rejection of a claim or contract.

  • The company's repudiation of the contract left the client in a difficult position.
  • There was widespread repudiation of the leader's harsh policies.

Examples of usage

  • His disclaimer about not being responsible for the mess was met with skepticism.
  • She added a disclaimer to her story to clarify that it was just a rumor.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Middle English 'discleyme', which means to deny or refuse.
  • It has roots in the Old French 'disclamer', meaning to disavow or reject.
  • The prefix 'dis-' suggests negation, while 'claimer' relates to claiming or asserting something.

Legal Usage

  • In legal documents, disclaimers protect individuals or organizations from liability or legal claims.
  • They often appear in contracts, advertisements, and product packaging to limit responsibility.
  • Common types include health warnings, financial advice disclaimers, and disclaimers of warranty.

Pop Culture

  • Many movies and TV shows start with disclaimers about the content, warning viewers about sensitive topics.
  • You often see disclaimers on social media, especially when users share opinions or reviews.
  • Popular video platforms include disclaimers about user-generated content, stating opinions are not necessarily endorsed.

Communication

  • Disclaimers are important in interpersonal communication to clarify intentions and avoid misunderstandings.
  • They can be used humorously, such as 'this is just my opinion, not a fact!' in casual conversations.
  • Using disclaimers can indicate an awareness of the potential for misinterpretation.

Psychology

  • Psychological research suggests that disclaimers can reduce defensiveness by setting expectations.
  • They help frame discussions, indicating that thoughts shared may not be universally accepted.
  • The use of disclaimers can be linked to social anxiety, as individuals may seek to preempt criticism.

Translations

Translations of the word "disclaimer" in other languages:

🇵🇹 isenção de responsabilidade

🇮🇳 अस्वीकरण

🇩🇪 Haftungsausschluss

🇮🇩 penafian

🇺🇦 застереження

🇵🇱 zrzeczenie się odpowiedzialności

🇯🇵 免責事項

🇫🇷 clause de non-responsabilité

🇪🇸 descargo de responsabilidad

🇹🇷 feragatname

🇰🇷 면책 조항

🇸🇦 إخلاء المسؤولية

🇨🇿 vyloučení odpovědnosti

🇸🇰 zrieknutie sa zodpovednosti

🇨🇳 免责声明

🇸🇮 izjava o omejitvi odgovornosti

🇮🇸 fyrirvari

🇰🇿 жауапкершіліктен бас тарту

🇬🇪 უარის თქმა

🇦🇿 məsuliyyətdən imtina

🇲🇽 descargo de responsabilidad

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,184, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.