obliged
Americanadjective
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bound by duty, ethics, or politeness.
You can bring something to share at the picnic, but please don't feel obliged.
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forced by law, regulation, or necessity.
All students are obliged to participate in an internship program.
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appreciative or grateful.
If you could shed some light on this mystery, I'd be obliged.
verb
idioms
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of obliged
Explanation
Someone who is obliged is bound to follow through on whatever is expected of him. Every April you are obliged or expected to submit your taxes. If you don't, the IRS is obliged to charge you with tax evasion. Ouch. The word obliged comes from the Latin ligare meaning "to bind." Obliged typically refers to a moral or legal obligation or responsibility. If you're being followed by an ambulance with its siren on, you are obliged to pull to the side of the road and let it pass. In some cultures, women are obliged to cover their heads.
Vocabulary lists containing obliged
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
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The Importance of Being Earnest
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I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It plans to apply the cap retrospectively from 25 March once legislation to create the cap has passed Parliament, with parties obliged to return any money over the limit received after this date.
From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026
It may also cause them to see you as a soft touch who they can tap for money at any time, and who feels obliged to give.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 3, 2026
On Tuesday, government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said the administration was reviewing a possible increase in subsidy vouchers, saying it was obliged to preserve people’s purchasing power.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026
If included, passive fund managers who are obliged to buy shares in companies included in the index will form a major source of demand for SpaceX stock.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026
Penelope obliged, although she was not wearing an apron and the flour made white streaks on her skirt.
From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
