English Dictionary

Definition of “oblige”

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oblige (əˈblaɪdʒPronunciation for oblige) 

Definitions

verb

  1. (tr; often passive) to bind or constrain (someone to do something) by legal, moral, or physical means
  2. (tr; usually passive) to make indebted or grateful (to someone) by doing a favour or service  ⇒ we are obliged to you for dinner 
  3. to do a service or favour to (someone)  ⇒ she obliged the guest with a song 

Alternative Forms

oˈbliger noun

Word Origin

C13: from Old French obliger,  from Latin obligāre,  from ob-  to, towards + ligāre to bind

Synonyms

View thesaurus entry
= compel, make, force, require, bind, railroad, constrain, necessitate, coerce, impel, dragoon, obligate,
= help, assist, serve, benefit, please, favour, humour, accommodate, indulge, gratify, do someone a service put yourself out for do (someone) a favour or a kindness meet the wants or needs of

Usage examples

  • He immediately booked two more for later, `I'd really like to go on dancing with you now but noblesse oblige.
    Haines, Pamela, The Golden Lion (1986)
  • Bhandari pressured some officials to release the stock and decided to destabilise the Government when they refused to oblige him.
    India Today (1998)
  • It is entirely understandable that Mr. Bush would be willing to oblige.
    Globe and Mail (2003)
  • The Bank of England's monetary policy committee may not oblige with a further cut in the cost of borrowing today.
    Glasgow Herald (2001)
  • The pain must have been excruciating, but in a commendable display of noblesse oblige Ferguson made jokes about it in his letters home.
    Andy Dougan, THE HUNTING OF MAN (2004)

Commonness

All English words that begin with 'O'

Related Terms

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