noblesse oblige

American  

[noh-bles oh-bleezh, naw-bles aw-bleezh] / noʊˈblɛs oʊˈbliʒ, nɔˈblɛs ɔˈbliʒ /

noun

1. the moral obligation of those of high birth, powerful social position, etc., to act with honor, kindliness, generosity, etc.

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noblesse oblige British  

/ nəʊˈblɛs əʊˈbliːʒ, nɔblɛs ɔbliʒ /

noun

1. ironic the supposed obligation of nobility to be honourable and generous

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noblesse oblige Cultural  

1. The belief that the wealthy and privileged are obliged to help those less fortunate. From French, meaning “nobility obligates.”

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Etymology

Origin of noblesse oblige

First recorded in 1830–40; from French: literally, “nobility obliges”

Example Sentences

Mr. Broderick, himself a sometime movie star, brings a slyly funny air of noblesse oblige that dovetails amusingly with Jay’s pompous, blinkered dimness.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

There might be just a dash of noblesse oblige in there, too, a little well-intentioned clemency from soccer’s great conqueror.

From New York Times • Mar. 8, 2024

Today, Beek and his family run it out of a sense of noblesse oblige.

From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2023

Now noblesse oblige, now "Let them eat cake."

From Salon • Mar. 13, 2021

Remote cousins and family friends whom mere acquaintanceship invested with a sort of blood obligation noblesse oblige.

From "The Sound and the Fury" by William Faulkner