caveat emptor

noun

caveat emp·​tor -ˈem(p)-tər 

-ˌtȯr

: a principle in commerce: without a warranty the buyer takes the risk

Caveat emptor is a reasonable approach for many consumer products.

Did you know?

"Without a warranty, the buyer must take the risk" is the basic meaning of the phrase caveat emptor. In the days when buying and selling was carried on in the local marketplace, the rule was a practical one. Buyer and seller knew each other and were on equal footing. The nature of modern commerce and technology placed the buyer at a disadvantage, however, so a stack of regulations have been written by federal, state, and local agencies to protect the consumer against dangerous or defective products, fraudulent practices, and the like. But the principle that a buyer needs a warranty if he is to avoid risk remains an important legal concept. Note that a caveat is a small warning or explanation intended to avoid misinterpretation.

Examples of caveat emptor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Legalization and regulation could solve many of these problems — but in the meantime, caveat emptor. —Robert Johnson, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2024

But caveat emptor — the claims are often misleading. —Glenn Kessler, Washington Post, 30 July 2024

Even with those changes in law and practice, caveat emptor still retains some vitality in the modern world. —Joshua Stein, Forbes, 17 July 2023

Life was much easier in the era of caveat emptor. —Joshua Stein, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2021

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, let the buyer beware

First Known Use

circa 1523, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

caveat emptor

noun

caveat emp·​tor -ˈemp-tər, -ˌtȯr 

: a principle in commercial transactions: without a warranty the buyer takes the risk as to the condition of the property or goods compare products liability at liability sense 2b, warranty

Etymology

New Latin, may the buyer beware