duty

The word “duty” means something a person is morally or legally obligated to do. In plain terms, an obligation you're expected to fulfil, a tax on goods, or being actively at work.

“Duty” is pronounced DYOO-tee (/ˈdjuː.ti/ in IPA).

Here is “duty” used in a sentence: “It's a nurse's duty to care for every patient equally.”

The opposite of “duty” — its antonyms — are duty-free and right.

“Duty” is a noun.

The word “duty” comes from Middle English. From Middle English duete, ultimately from "due" — something owed — plus the noun-forming ending "-ty.".

“Duty” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

“Duty” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: something a person is morally or legally obligated to do.

A duty is something you are morally or legally obliged to do, often fixed by a role, law, or code. A responsibility is something you are accountable for, which can be broader and sometimes chosen. Duties tend to be specific obligations; responsibilities cover the wider things you are answerable for and expected to manage.

The two are close in meaning. An obligation is anything you are bound to do, whether a one-off commitment or a legal requirement. A duty is usually a deeper, ongoing obligation tied to morality or a role, such as a duty of care. Every duty is an obligation, but not every obligation feels like a duty.

Duties are often split into moral duties, which conscience or ethics demand, and legal duties, which the law enforces. Civic duties, such as obeying laws or serving on a jury, fall under this too. In a workplace, 'duties' also means the specific tasks a role requires you to carry out.

Being on duty means you are actively at work or assigned to a particular task, ready to act — as with a doctor, officer, or lifeguard on shift. The opposite, off duty, means you are not currently working. Here 'duty' refers to an assigned period of responsibility rather than a moral obligation.