obligation

CEFRC1

/ˌɒb.lɪˈɡeɪ.ʃn̩/

noun

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    A duty to do something because of law or promise.

  2. 02

    noun

    Extra detail

    A course of action imposed by society, law, or conscience by which someone is bound or restricted.

Examples

  • We have a legal obligation to pay our taxes.

  • You are under no obligation to buy anything.

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
2
Synonyms
2

Also pronounced

  • /ˌɑ.blɪˈɡeɪ.ʃn̩/
  • /ˌɔb.lɪˈɡæɪ.ʃən/

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

  1. A social, legal, or moral requirement, duty, contract, or promise that compels someone to follow or avoid a particular course of action.

  2. The act of binding oneself by a social, legal, or moral tie to someone.

  3. Reason for being obliged to, that is, grateful for, something.

More examples

In context

  • You have no obligation to help us.

  • I feel I'm under obligation to attend my sister's wedding, even though we have a very frosty relationship.

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

Every adult citizen has a legal blank to pay taxes on their income.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

From Middle English obligacioun, from Old French obligacion, from Latin obligatio, obligationem, from obligatum (past participle of obligare), from ob- (“to”) + ligare (“to bind”), from Proto-Indo-European *leyǵ- (“to bind”).