definitions

oblige

[ uh-blahyj ]
/ əˈblaɪdʒ /
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR oblige ON THESAURUS.COM

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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RELATED WORDS

obligated, indebted, compelled, enslaved, duty-bound, forced, indentured, required, tied, urged, committed, contracted, bounden

Nearby words

obligational, obligational authority, obligative, obligato, obligatory, oblige, obligee, obligement, obliging, obligor, oblique

Origin of oblige

1250–1300; Middle English obligen < Old French obligier < Latin obligāre to bind. See obligate

Related forms

Can be confused

coerce compel constrain force obligeobligate oblige

Synonym study

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

Examples from the Web for obliged

British Dictionary definitions for obliged

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

obliger, noun

Word 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 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012