tort
A tort is a legal word for a wrong act that hurts someone or their property. It is not a crime against the government, but a private problem that a court can help fix with money.
Examples
3 of 5He sued the shop for a tort after he fell on the wet floor.
He sued the shop for a tort after he fell on the wet floor.
The court must decide if the company committed a tort against its neighbors.
The court must decide if the company committed a tort against its neighbors.
I'm reading about tort law to see if I can get help for my broken car.
I'm reading about tort law to see if I can get help for my broken car.
Synonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of 'torture'. Both words come from the Latin word for 'twisted'. A tort is a 'twisted' or wrong action.
Quick Quiz
The lawyer explained that negligence is a very common type of _____.
Correct!
The correct answer is: tort
Examples
He sued the shop for a tort after he fell on the wet floor.
everydayHe sued the shop for a tort after he fell on the wet floor.
The court must decide if the company committed a tort against its neighbors.
formalThe court must decide if the company committed a tort against its neighbors.
I'm reading about tort law to see if I can get help for my broken car.
informalI'm reading about tort law to see if I can get help for my broken car.
The study of tort is essential for all first-year law students.
academicThe study of tort is essential for all first-year law students.
Our firm handles business tort cases involving unfair competition.
businessOur firm handles business tort cases involving unfair competition.
Synonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
toxic tort
toxic tort
tort reform
tort reform
personal injury tort
personal injury tort
Often Confused With
A tart is a small pie or a sour taste, while a tort is a legal wrong.
A crime is a wrong against the state/society, while a tort is a wrong against an individual.
Usage Notes
Use 'tort' when discussing civil lawsuits where one person wants money (damages) from another for a mistake or injury.
Common Mistakes
Do not use 'tort' to describe a criminal act like murder or robbery unless you are specifically talking about the civil lawsuit part of it.
Memory Tip
Think of 'torture'. Both words come from the Latin word for 'twisted'. A tort is a 'twisted' or wrong action.
Word Origin
From Medieval Latin 'tortum', meaning 'wrong' or 'injustice', coming from the verb 'torquere' which means 'to twist'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In English-speaking countries like the US and UK, tort law is the main way people get paid back for accidents.
Quick Quiz
The lawyer explained that negligence is a very common type of _____.
Correct!
The correct answer is: tort
Related Vocabulary
Negligence is the failure to take proper care in doing somet...
lawsuitA lawsuit is a legal case where one person or group brings a...
liabilityLiability is the state of being legally responsible for some...
damagesDamages is a legal term for the money paid to someone becaus...
compensationCompensation is money given to someone to make up for a loss...
injuryA physical harm or damage to a person's body caused by an ac...
More law words
justice
A1Justice is the quality of being fair and reasonable in how people are treated. It also refers to the legal system and the way laws are used to punish people who do wrong.
verdict
A1A verdict is the official decision made by a jury or judge in a court of law about whether someone is guilty or not guilty. It is also used to describe a person's final opinion or judgment about something after testing or considering it.
trial
A1A formal process in a court of law to decide if someone is guilty of a crime. It involves a judge, and sometimes a jury, who listen to evidence and witnesses.
hearing
A1In a legal context, a hearing is a formal meeting where a judge or official listens to facts and arguments about a specific issue. It is typically shorter and less formal than a full trial but follows strict legal rules.
litigation
A1Litigation is the process of using a court of law to solve a legal disagreement. It involves a judge or jury making a final decision about a dispute between people or companies.
testimony
A1A formal statement given by a witness in a court of law or a public meeting. It is also used to describe something that serves as clear proof that a fact is true.
witness
A1A witness is a person who sees an event, such as a crime or an accident, take place. In a legal context, this person provides information or evidence in a court about what they observed.
crime
A1A crime is an action that is against the law and is punishable by the government. It refers to illegal activities like stealing or hurting someone.
criminal
A1A person who has committed a crime or done something illegal. This word describes someone who breaks the law and may be punished by the police or a court.
felony
A1A felony is a very serious crime, such as murder or armed robbery. In legal systems, it is a crime that is punished more severely than a minor offense, often resulting in more than one year in prison.
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