noblesse oblige

[noh-bles oh-bleezh; French naw-bles aw-bleezh]

noun

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

Origin of noblesse oblige

1830–40; < French: literally, nobility obliges

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for noblesse oblige

noblesse oblige

noun

often ironic the supposed obligation of nobility to be honourable and generous

Word Origin for noblesse oblige

French, literally: nobility obliges

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noblesse oblige in Culture

noblesse oblige

[(noh-bles oh-bleezh)]

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