obligation
ob-lih-GAY-shn
Obligation (noun) means a duty or requirement to do something, often because of a promise, law, or moral sense. Example: “You are under no obligation to buy anything from us.”
noun
1
A duty or requirement to do something, often because of a promise, law, or moral sense.
"You are under no obligation to buy anything from us."
"Parents have an obligation to care for their children."
"He fulfilled his contractual obligations before leaving the company."
How to use obligation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething you have to do because of duty, a promise, or a rule.
Common pairings
legal obligation
moral obligation
fulfil an obligation
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Word forms
- Plural
- obligations
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You are under no _____ to buy anything from us.
Etymology
From Latin obligatio, from obligare ("to bind"), from ob- + ligare ("to bind, tie").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for obligation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for obligation →
Frequently asked questions
What does “obligation” mean?
The word “obligation” means a duty or requirement to do something, often because of a promise, law, or moral sense. In plain terms, something you have to do because of duty, a promise, or a rule.
How do you pronounce “obligation”?
“Obligation” is pronounced ob-lih-GAY-shn (/ˌɑ.blɪˈɡeɪ.ʃn̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “obligation” in a sentence?
Here is “obligation” used in a sentence: “Parents have an obligation to care for their children.”
What part of speech is “obligation”?
“Obligation” is a noun.
Where does the word “obligation” come from?
The word “obligation” comes from Latin. From Latin obligatio, from obligare ("to bind"), from ob- + ligare ("to bind, tie").
Is “obligation” a common word?
“Obligation” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between an obligation and a duty?
The two overlap, but duty often points to what is right because of one's role or conscience — a soldier's duty, a parental duty — while obligation often points to a requirement imposed from outside by a promise, contract, or law. You feel a duty; you are typically under an obligation.
What is the difference between obligation and responsibility?
A responsibility is a broad state of being accountable for someone or something, while an obligation is a specific requirement to act, arising from a promise, law, or moral sense. Raising a child is a responsibility; paying child support on time is an obligation.
Which verbs go with obligation?
You fulfill, meet, honor, or discharge an obligation, and you can also incur or take on one. English also says you are 'under an obligation' to do something; 'discharge' is the most formal of the set and is common in legal writing.
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