obliging

[ uh-blahy-jing ]

adjective

1. willing or eager to do favors, offer one's services, etc.; accommodating:

   The clerk was most obliging.

   Synonyms: friendly, kind, helpful

2. obligating.

obliging

/ əˈblaɪdʒɪŋ /

adjective

1. ready to do favours; agreeable; kindly

Derived Forms

• oˈbligingly, adverb
• oˈbligingness, noun

Other Words From

• o·bliging·ly adverb
• o·bliging·ness noun
• uno·bliging adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of obliging¹

First recorded in 1630–40; oblige + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Ever obliging, Springsteen then flexed all the right things on a paddle board.

From The Daily Beast

At the three-hour-mark, the hitherto obliging Lanzmann finally becomes irritated.

From The Daily Beast

Brown expressed the hope that the obliging spirit of the brunch would somehow infuse Washington as a whole.

From The Daily Beast

One of the salesmen obliging pulled out a .380 for me from its packaging and held it out.

From The Daily Beast

The obliging staff plugged the word “dog” into their computers and all the official citations came whirring out.

From The Daily Beast

You were obliging enough to ask me to accept a presentation copy of your verses.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Wauchop has proved himself a most obliging member of the staff.

From Project Gutenberg

I felt quite sure that Mr Lockhart would find her, he is such an obliging and amiable man, as well as clever.

From Project Gutenberg

Singularly courteous and obliging on all occasions, I, personally, have been much indebted to him for help and advice.

From Project Gutenberg

This victimizing of some obliging guest is only too common, but no true lady will ever be guilty of such rudeness.

From Project Gutenberg