disclaimer

[ dis-kley-mer ]

noun

1. the act of disclaiming; the renouncing, repudiating, or denying of a claim; disavowal.
2. a person who disclaims.
3. a statement, document, or assertion that disclaims responsibility, affiliation, etc.; disavowal; denial.

disclaimer

/ dɪsˈkleɪmə /

noun

1. a repudiation or denial

Word History and Origins

Origin of disclaimer¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Anglo-French: to disclaim

Example Sentences

A disclaimer at the end of each episode acknowledges Adams’ denial that he was ever a member of the IRA or involved in political violence; it’s a claim “Say Nothing” otherwise freely dismisses.

From Los Angeles Times

I’ll give the disclaimer that in my life every day is kind of different, but Sunday is the most consistent for me.

From Los Angeles Times

The film begins with a disclaimer that many of its events are fictionalised.

From BBC

“That disclaimer is important from a legal perspective,” he added, “and it sends a message to viewers not to take everything literally to be true.”

From Los Angeles Times

And he has persuaded the official Republican Party, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, to parrot his fatuous disclaimer that he will accept it if it's "free and fair."

From Salon

Related Words

• clause
• retraction
• waiver

More About Disclaimer

What does disclaimer mean?

A disclaimer is a statement or document intended to limit the responsibility or legal liability of a company, organization, or person.

Disclaimers typically claim that the party issuing the disclaimer is NOT responsible for certain risks or is NOT affiliated with certain other parties—they make as many statements as they can to deny responsibility.

Example: The disclaimer at the bottom of the page says that this information should be used for entertainment purposes only.

Where does disclaimer come from?

The first records of disclaimer come from the 1400s. It’s borrowed directly from the Anglo-French word disclaimer. Disclaimer is the noun form of the verb disclaim, which in its most general sense means “to disavow” or “to disown.” It uses the prefix dis- to indicate a reversal or negation.

Instead of making positive claims, a disclaimer typically does the opposite: it uses legal language to avoid any association or position that may put the issuing party at risk of being sued. Disclaimers are used to specify or limit the obligations that could be enforced in a legally recognized relationship, such as between a company and its customers or a website and its users. Disclaimers often make use of lengthy passages of legal jargon (sometimes called fine print), with wording like at your own risk and provided “as is” and not liable for any damages. 

Disclaimers aren’t always so wrapped up in legalese. “Swim at your own risk” and “Beware of dog” are both common disclaimers. Of course, having a disclaimer doesn’t mean a company or other organization will never be responsible for any injuries or damages. But they’re at least intended to make you think that.

In a general sense, a disclaimer can be any statement intended to disavow something or avoid responsibility for something.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to disclaimer?

• disclaim (verb)

What are some words that share a root or word element with disclaimer? 

• claim
• proclaim
• acclaim
• exclaim

What are some words that often get used in discussing disclaimer?

 

• legal
• written
• clause
• waiver
• retraction
• renunciation
• disassociation
• information
• rule

How is disclaimer used in real life?

Disclaimer is most commonly used in a legal context. Disclaimers are often found in contracts and at the bottom of web pages.

Disclaimer.* I own the rights to any content posted from this account. All pictures are mine. All tweets are mine. Also, people are weird..

— Jeff or Jèfè (@jefforjefe) February 17, 2020

One of the reasons I don't use my Company's email for sending Internet mail is that I find the corporate disclaimer embarrasing.

— 𝓟𝓮𝓽𝓮 𝓙𝓸𝓱𝓷𝓼 🏡 (@johnsyweb) February 24, 2009

❗❕❗❕❗❕

Disclaimers:

✏ english isn't my first language so if I make any gramatical errors, i'm sorry.

✏errors ahead

✏ don't mind the date, time, likes and retweets.

💜🐢🐰ENJOY READING!!!💜🐢🐰

— 𝕛𝕦𝕟𝕘𝕣𝕚 𝕒𝕦 📌 (@forjungri) April 7, 2020

 

 

Try using disclaimer!

Which of the following things is a disclaimer intended to avoid?

A. responsibility
B. liability
C. lawsuits
D. all of the above