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obliging
[ uh-blahy-jing ]
adjective
- willing or eager to do favors, offer one's services, etc.; accommodating:
The clerk was most obliging.
obliging
/ əˈblaɪdʒɪŋ /
adjective
- ready to do favours; agreeable; kindly
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Derived Forms
- oˈbligingly, adverb
- oˈbligingness, noun
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Other Words From
- o·bliging·ly adverb
- o·bliging·ness noun
- uno·bliging adjective
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Example Sentences
Modi has used these levers to turn some of the biggest names in India’s news industry from barking watchdogs into obliging poodles.
Ever obliging, Springsteen then flexed all the right things on a paddle board.
At the three-hour-mark, the hitherto obliging Lanzmann finally becomes irritated.
Brown expressed the hope that the obliging spirit of the brunch would somehow infuse Washington as a whole.
One of the salesmen obliging pulled out a .380 for me from its packaging and held it out.
The obliging staff plugged the word “dog” into their computers and all the official citations came whirring out.
You were obliging enough to ask me to accept a presentation copy of your verses.
Mr. Wauchop has proved himself a most obliging member of the staff.
I felt quite sure that Mr Lockhart would find her, he is such an obliging and amiable man, as well as clever.
Singularly courteous and obliging on all occasions, I, personally, have been much indebted to him for help and advice.
This victimizing of some obliging guest is only too common, but no true lady will ever be guilty of such rudeness.
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More About Obliging
What does obliging mean?
Obliging is used to describe someone who is willing or eager to politely do things for others, such as performing favors or services for them, as in a most obliging host.
It can also describe such a person’s actions, as in We appreciate your obliging service. A close synonym is accommodating.
The word comes from the verb oblige, which 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.
Oblige also commonly means to require, compel, or constrain, but obliging is not typically used as an adjective in this sense.
Example: You’ve been so obliging—we can’t thank you enough for all your hospitality.
Where does obliging come from?
The first records of the word obliging as an adjective come from the 1630s. It ultimately comes from the Latin verb obligāre, meaning “to bind.”
When the verb oblige means “to accommodate,” it often implies that doing so requires some amount of effort by or trouble for the person making such accommodations. Describing someone as obliging often means that they go out of their way to help or serve, and that they do it all the time.
Did you know ... ?
What are some other forms related to obliging?
- oblige (verb)
What are some synonyms for obliging?
What are some words that share a root or word element with obliging?
What are some words that often get used in discussing obliging?
How is obliging used in real life?
Obliging can sound quite formal, especially compared to synonyms like accommodating or hospitable.
Just like to say how wonderful NHS Highland IT Support Team are. Always so obliging and patient! Much appreciated. Thank you!
— sarah jane mcleod💙 (@Mcleod2Sarah) November 1, 2016
Had a fantastic day in Sydney today. Very grateful to our extremely obliging host. What a tiring day.
— Peggy Chow (@taurusox) March 17, 2012
https://twitter.com/jacquelineUWS/status/1339715140007149569
Try using oblige!
Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of obliging?
A. helpful
B. hospitable
C. disagreeable
D. accommodating
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