Oblige Meaning
/əˈblaɪd͡ʒ/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
verbTo constrain someone by force or by social, moral or legal means.
verbTo do (someone) a service or favour (hence, originally, creating an obligation).
Sentence Examples
The laws oblige all citizens to pay taxes.
Is there any dignity in having to depend on the noblesse oblige of the rich?
CEFR Practice Quiz
The manager will ____ the customer by replacing the broken item for free.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The hotel staff worked hard to ____ every request made by their high-profile guests.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English obligen, from Old French obligier, obliger, from Latin obligō, obligāre, from ob- + ligō. Doublet of obligate, taken straight from Latin.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Tho' he was some time awake before me, yet did he not offer to disturb a repose he had given me so much occasion for; but on my first stirring, which was not till past ten o'clock, I was oblig'd to endure one more trial of his manhood."
— 1749, [John Cleland], “(Please specify the letter or volume)”, in Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure [Fanny Hill], London: […] [Thomas Parker] for G. Fenton [i.e., Fenton and Ralph Griffiths] […], →OCLC:
"In the mean time I have another trouble to give you, if you will oblige me in it; and that is to get me a sight of the famous Orrery, which I have heard you and others so often speak of; and which I think was made by Mr. Rowley, the famous Mathematical Instrument-Maker."
— 1719, John Harris, Astronomical dialogues between a gentleman and a lady, page 151:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The manager will ____ the customer by replacing the broken item for free.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The hotel staff worked hard to ____ every request made by their high-profile guests.