oblige
[ uh-blahyj ]
/ əˈblaɪdʒ /
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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
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English obligen, from Old French obligier, from Latin obligāre “to bind”; see obligate
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
o·blig·er, nounpre·o·blige, verb (used with object), pre·o·bliged, pre·o·blig·ing.re·o·blige, verb (used with object), re·o·bliged, re·o·blig·ing.Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use oblige in a sentence
It was positively too cheap, but "pour obliger monsieur," he would give him this "bon march" for the six francs.
Over the Ocean|Curtis GuildAnd will she not think herself the obliged, rather than the obliger?
Clarissa, Volume 4 (of 9)|Samuel Richardson
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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