oblige
Americanverb (used with object)
-
obliges,
present (3rd person singular)
-
obliged,
past participle, past
-
obliging
present participle
-
to require or constrain, as by law, command, conscience, or force of necessity.
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to bind morally or legally, as by a promise or contract.
- Synonyms:
- obligate
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to place under a debt of gratitude for some benefit, favor, or service.
I'm much obliged for the ride.
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to put (one) in a debt of gratitude, as by a favor or accommodation.
Mr. Weems will oblige us with a song.
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to make (an action, policy, etc.) necessary or obligatory.
Your carelessness obliges firmness on my part.
verb (used without object)
-
obliges,
present (3rd person singular)
-
obliged,
past participle, past
-
obliging
present participle
verb
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(tr; often passive) to bind or constrain (someone to do something) by legal, moral, or physical means
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(tr; usually passive) to make indebted or grateful (to someone) by doing a favour or service
we are obliged to you for dinner
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to do a service or favour to (someone)
she obliged the guest with a song
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.
Synonym Usage
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
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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obligesimple
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obligessimple
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have obligedperfect
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has obligedperfect
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am obligingprogressive
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are obligingprogressive
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is obligingprogressive
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have been obligingperfect progressive
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has been obligingperfect progressive
Past
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obligedsimple
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had obligedperfect
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was obligingprogressive
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were obligingprogressive
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had been obligingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of oblige
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English obligen, from Old French obligier, from Latin obligāre “to bind”; see 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.
Vocabulary lists containing oblige
List 2
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Essential English Vocabulary, List 1
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Sojourner Truth's "Ain't I A Woman?" (1863)
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
He has been asked to pose for photos showing off his new smile – and he is only too happy to oblige.
From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026
They seemed happy to oblige, apparently assured that they’d be cut in on whatever deal the U.S. had in mind.
From Salon ● Sep. 1, 2026
Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump said Japan had asked for help and the U.S. was happy to oblige.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026
"Content farms and internet trolls are happy to oblige them."
From Barron's ● May 18, 2026
Mr Charles remembered marvelling at how my father showed not one hint of discomfort or anger, but continued to drive with an expression balanced perfectly between personal dignity and readiness to oblige.
From "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro
The Financial Accounting Standards Board responded to the post-crisis criticism with CECL, which obliges banks to apply forward-looking estimates of expected credit losses.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026
Finally, the series rests on the shoulders of the three principal players, who are just a pleasure to watch; the camera obliges by moving in close.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 15, 2026
Content creators are "contractually bound" to brands, which obliges them to keep posting no matter what, according to the journalist.
From Barron's ● Mar. 1, 2026
After competitions, Gu is the one every media outlet wants to speak to, and she gracefully and politely obliges as she slowly shuffles through the mixed zone.
From BBC ● Feb. 19, 2026
Each time he obliges them and kisses his bride tamely on the cheek.
From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri
Iñárritu obliged, doing voices for all the different characters.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026
Because the EFL and National League are separate entities from the Premier League, neither would necessarily be obliged to accept an entry request from Manchester City.
From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026
Perhaps these international festivals are testing their own waters to see if they’re obliged to invite Americans to their party.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 13, 2026
"The Spanish state is obliged to guarantee equal access to justice, irrespective of who the accused person is," said Women's Link executive director Jovana Rios Cisnero.
From Barron's ● Sep. 4, 2026
In other words, there needed to be an official estimate of the specific amount each state would have “assumed” and then be obliged to pay in federal taxes before the vote on assumption occurred.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
But the Kenyan people and courts have been less obliging.
From Barron's ● Jun. 24, 2026
“Promoters are keen to expand and capture new market share, often reflected in artist contracts obliging the latter to tour in certain geographies, Europe being one of them,” the Bernstein analysts said.
From MarketWatch ● May 6, 2026
When the U.S. abandoned its bases in Greenland, it left the cleanup to Denmark despite the treaty obliging Washington to do it.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 11, 2026
In the match against an admittedly obliging Falkirk, Celtic scored four times in 90 minutes having scored only 12 in the 810 league minutes that went before.
From BBC ● Nov. 1, 2025
Large puddles had formed on the ground around where I had left the Ford, obliging me to assist Miss Kenton a little to allow her to reach the passenger door.
From "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro
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