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oblige
[ uh-blahyj ]
verb (used with object)
- to require or constrain, as by law, command, conscience, or force of necessity.
Synonyms: ,
- to bind morally or legally, as by a promise or contract.
Synonyms:
- to place under a debt of gratitude for some benefit, favor, or service:
I'm much obliged for the ride.
- to put (one) in a debt of gratitude, as by a favor or accommodation:
Mr. Weems will oblige us with a song.
- to make (an action, policy, etc.) necessary or obligatory:
Your carelessness obliges firmness on my part.
verb (used without object)
- to be kindly accommodating:
I'll do anything within reason to oblige.
oblige
/ əˈɪ /
verb
- tr; often passive to bind or constrain (someone to do something) by legal, moral, or physical means
- tr; usually passive to make indebted or grateful (to someone) by doing a favour or service
we are obliged to you for dinner
- to do a service or favour to (someone)
she obliged the guest with a song
Derived Forms
- ˈ, noun
Other Word Forms
- ·· noun
- ·· verb (used with object) preobliged preobliging
- ·· verb (used with object) reobliged reobliging
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of oblige1
Synonym Study
Example Sentences
She obliges his request and turns back to a human avatar before adding, “I’m feeling a bit chilly without my fur coat!”
Former Supreme Court judge Lord Sumption says that while the ruling means organisations can exclude trans women from women only facilities, they are not necessarily obliged to do so.
Sir Michael would not confirm the exact amount he was paid to appear on Celebrity Big Brother, saying he was contractually obliged not to reveal the figure.
Because of this, GPs say they cannot ignore blood-test results that indicate high potassium - even if they believe them to be incorrect - and they are obliged to refer patients immediately to A&E.
A couple asked us to take a photo of them standing between the cowboy’s legs and we obliged.
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More About Oblige
doesoblige mean?
Oblige commonly means to politely do something for someone, as in He’s the kind of person who’s happy to oblige no matter what the request is.
Someone who is accommodating in this way can be described as obliging.
This sense of the word is sometimes used in a somewhat ironic way that likens a negative reaction to a polite one, as in He rudely told me to step aside and let him pass, and I was happy to oblige since I was standing in front of a huge mud puddle.
Oblige also commonly means to require, compel, or constrain. This can imply a moral sense of duty or one based on conscience, as in It is her sense of duty that obliges her to make this sacrifice. Or it can imply an official or legal requirement, as in The contract obliges us to perform three nights a week.
This sense of oblige is perhaps most often used in passive constructions, as in By contract, we are obliged to perform three nights a week.
The similar verb obligate can be used to mean the same thing. The related noun obligation refers to a responsibility or duty that is required of someone. In other words, an obligation is something you are obliged or obligated to do. Something that’s required in such a way can be described with the related adjective obligatory.
Sometimes, oblige means to put one in a debt of gratitude, such as for some favor or service. This sense of the word is especially used in the phrase much obliged, which can be used by itself as another way of saying thank you or in a sentence, as in We’re much obliged for all your hospitality.
Example: There is no requirement that obliges us to help those who are less fortunate—but we should do it out of a moral obligation.
Where doesoblige come from?
The first records of the word oblige come from the 1200s. It ultimately comes from the Latin verb Dz, meaning “to bind.”
When we feel that we are obliged to do something, we feel that we have been bound by some duty or requirement. When oblige means “to accommodate,” it often implies that doing so will require some amount of effort by or trouble for the person doing the DzԲ—for which the recipient of the favor should be much obliged.
Did you know ... ?
are some other forms related to oblige?
- obliging (continuous tense verb, adjective)
- obliged (past tense verb, adjective)
are some synonyms for oblige?
are some words that share a root or word element with oblige?
are some words that often get used in discussing oblige?
How isoblige used in real life?
Oblige can sound quite formal, especially compared to synonyms like require.
People often ask me what I'm looking at in the woods, and I'm happy to oblige, but today someone was visibly disappointed when I pointed to an enormous, beautiful hornet's nest. "I thought you saw a cool bird!" Yeah, well, I thought I saw a nature lover, you jabroni.
— Monikah (@schmonikah)
In the utility room sorting laundry. My kid comes in and demands a cuddle. Funnily enough I dropped what I was doing to oblige him
— Maria Robertson (@stupidgirl_no1)
“Life obliges me to do something, so I paint.”~ Rene Magritte. Magritte at work in his living room, 1964.
— Sultan AlShaheen (@S_Al_Shaheen)
Try usingoblige!
Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of oblige?
A. require
B. compel
C. deny
D. accommodate
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