oblige

CEFRB2

/əˈblaɪd͡ʒ/

verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    verb

    To force someone to do something or help them.

  2. 02

    verb

    Extra detail

    To cause somebody to feel indebted.

Examples

  • Is there any dignity in having to depend on the noblesse oblige of the rich?

  • The laws oblige all citizens to pay taxes.

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
4
Parts of speech
1
Citations
2
Synonyms
1

Also pronounced

  • /əˈbliːd͡ʒ/

Deep Dive

verb

Extra meanings

  1. To do (someone) a service or favour (hence, originally, creating an obligation).

  2. To constrain someone by force or by social, moral or legal means.

More examples

In context

  • He obliged me by not parking his car in the drive.

  • I am obliged to report to the police station every week.

  • Your carelessness obliges firmness on my part.

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The manager will blank the customer by replacing the broken item for free.

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

Nearby

Origin

verb

From Middle English obligen, from Old French obligier, obliger, from Latin obligō, obligāre, from ob- + ligō. Doublet of obligate, taken straight from Latin.