oblige

American  

[uh-blahyj] / əˈblaɪdʒ /

verb (used with object)

obliged, obliging

1. to require or constrain, as by law, command, conscience, or force of necessity.

   Synonyms:

   force, compel

2. to bind morally or legally, as by a promise or contract.

   Synonyms:

   obligate

3. to place under a debt of gratitude for some benefit, favor, or service.

   I'm much obliged for the ride.

4. to put (one) in a debt of gratitude, as by a favor or accommodation.

   Mr. Weems will oblige us with a song.

5. to make (an action, policy, etc.) necessary or obligatory.

   Your carelessness obliges firmness on my part.

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verb (used without object)

obliged, obliging

1. to be kindly accommodating.

   I'll do anything within reason to oblige.

oblige British  

/ əˈblaɪdʒ /

verb

1. (tr; often passive) to bind or constrain (someone to do something) by legal, moral, or physical means

2. (tr; usually passive) to make indebted or grateful (to someone) by doing a favour or service

   we are obliged to you for dinner

3. to do a service or favour to (someone)

   she obliged the guest with a song

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Usage

What does oblige mean? Oblige 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. Someone who is accommodating in this way can be described as obliging. This sense of the word is sometimes used in a somewhat ironic way that likens a negative reaction to a polite one, as in He rudely told me to step aside and let him pass, and I was happy to oblige since I was standing in front of a huge mud puddle. Oblige also commonly means to require, compel, or constrain. This can imply a moral sense of duty or one based on conscience, as in It is her sense of duty that obliges her to make this sacrifice. Or it can imply an official or legal requirement, as in The contract obliges us to perform three nights a week. This sense of oblige is perhaps most often used in passive constructions, as in By contract, we are obliged to perform three nights a week. The similar verb obligate can be used to mean the same thing. The related noun obligation refers to a responsibility or duty that is required of someone. In other words, an obligation is something you are obliged or obligated to do. Something that’s required in such a way can be described with the related adjective obligatory. Sometimes, oblige means to put one in a debt of gratitude, such as for some favor or service. This sense of the word is especially used in the phrase much obliged, which can be used by itself as another way of saying thank you or in a sentence, as in We’re much obliged for all your hospitality. Example: There is no requirement that obliges us to help those who are less fortunate—but we should do it out of a moral obligation.

Related Words

Oblige, accommodate imply making a gracious and welcome gesture of some kind. Oblige emphasizes the idea of conferring a favor or benefit (and often of taking some trouble to do it): to oblige someone with a loan. Accommodate emphasizes doing a service or furnishing a convenience: to accommodate someone with lodgings and meals.

Other Word Forms

• obliger noun
• preoblige verb (used with object)
• reoblige verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of oblige

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English obligen, from Old French obligier, from Latin obligāre “to bind”; obligate

Explanation

To oblige is to do something you have to, because you're bound by either good manners or the law. You are obliged to pay back your student loans, or for your portion of the dinner bill. You may also feel obliged to bring a gift if you're invited to a wedding. You can also tip your cowboy hat and be "much obliged" if someone does you a favor. The French phrase, noblesse oblige means basically that "privilege entails responsibility," or that the wealthy are obliged to do something productive in the world and not just sit around polishing their silver spoons.

Example Sentences

"It was not an alliance that was designed for one of the allies to go on a war of choice and then oblige everybody else to follow," he said.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

Galleries are also closing and downsizing, and films that don’t oblige the content farm aren’t solicited as readily as influencer-helmed or easily digestible projects that can be played as background noise for scrolling.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 4, 2026

It does oblige platforms to remove the material they can prove to be foreign influence - a process that often takes too long in an online environment where videos can go viral within hours.

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026

Thankfully, the world is too sane to oblige.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 23, 2025

Peeta's happy to oblige and since he's a lot quieter in water than on land, it's a doubly good idea.

From "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins

Related Words

• bind
• compel
• constrain
• impel
• obligate