oblige
[ uh-blahyj ]
/ əˈblaɪdʒ /
verb (used with object), o·bliged, o·blig·ing.
to require or constrain, as by law, command, conscience, or force of necessity.
to bind morally or legally, as by a promise or contract.
to place under a debt of gratitude for some benefit, favor, or service: I'm much obliged for the ride.
to put (one) in a debt of gratitude, as by a favor or accommodation: Mr. Weems will oblige us with a song.
to make (an action, policy, etc.) necessary or obligatory: Your carelessness obliges firmness on my part.
verb (used without object), o·bliged, o·blig·ing.
to be kindly accommodating: I'll do anything within reason to oblige.
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Origin of oblige
synonym study for oblige
4. 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 WORDS FROM oblige
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for oblige
British Dictionary definitions for oblige
oblige
/ (əˈblaɪdʒ) /
verb
(tr; often passive) to bind or constrain (someone to do something) by legal, moral, or physical means
(tr; usually passive) to make indebted or grateful (to someone) by doing a favour or servicewe are obliged to you for dinner
to do a service or favour to (someone)she obliged the guest with a song
Derived forms of oblige
obliger, nounWord Origin for oblige
C13: from Old French obliger, from Latin obligāre, from ob- to, towards + ligāre to bind
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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