obliging

American  

[uh-blahy-jing] / əˈblaɪ dʒɪŋ /

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.

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obliging British  

/ əˈblaɪdʒɪŋ /

adjective

1. ready to do favours; agreeable; kindly

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Usage

What does obliging mean? Obliging is used to describe someone who is willing or eager to politely do things for others, such as performing favors or services for them, as in a most obliging host. It can also describe such a person’s actions, as in We appreciate your obliging service. A close synonym is accommodating. The word comes from the verb oblige, which commonly means to politely do something for someone, as in He’s the kind of person who’s happy to oblige no matter what the request is. Oblige also commonly means to require, compel, or constrain, but obliging is not typically used as an adjective in this sense. Example: You’ve been so obliging—we can’t thank you enough for all your hospitality.

Other Word Forms

• obligingly
  adverb
• obligingness
  noun
• unobliging
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of obliging

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

Explanation

If you're obliging, you're easy to get along with and eager to help. An obliging neighbor, for example, might volunteer to shovel your sidewalk after it snows. The adjective obliging is perfect for describing someone who is especially considerate and helpful. An obliging co-worker will always come to your aid or chip in for donuts, and an obliging roommate will turn off her light when you're ready to go to sleep. The word has been around since the mid-1600s, and it comes from the verb oblige, with its Latin root obligare, which means both "to bind up or bandage" and "to put under obligation or commitment."

Example Sentences

Obliging his older brother, Frank used his cash to buy the seminal punk rock vinyl.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2025

Obliging reporters, editors and TV producers assured the real estate mogul of vast coverage and many magazine covers.

From Washington Post • May 15, 2017

Obliging countries like Vietnam, Peru, and Indonesia to boost patent, copyright, and trademark protections may well benefit large American companies.

From Slate • Jun. 21, 2016

Obliging, Cleary made his paint-flecked debut on the New Orleans music scene.

From The Guardian • Feb. 23, 2016

"Obliging of him," insinuated Mr. Tile of the Daily Bulge.

From Old Fogy His Musical Opinions and Grotesques by Huneker, James