oblige
uh-BLYJ
Oblige (verb) means to require someone to do something, by law, duty, or circumstance. Example: “The contract obliges the tenant to pay rent on the first of the month.”
verb
1
To require someone to do something, by law, duty, or circumstance.
"The contract obliges the tenant to pay rent on the first of the month."
2
To do someone a favour, often creating a sense of gratitude.
"She was happy to oblige when a colleague asked for help."
How to use oblige
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo force someone to do something, or to kindly do a favour for them.
Common pairings
obliged to
happy to oblige
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- obliges
- Past tense
- obliged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The contract _____ the tenant to pay rent on the first of the month.
Etymology
From Old French obliger, from Latin obligare, from ob- + ligare ("to bind"). A doublet of obligate.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for oblige
See all rhymes for oblige →Frequently asked questions
What does “oblige” mean?
The word “oblige” means to require someone to do something, by law, duty, or circumstance. In plain terms, to force someone to do something, or to kindly do a favour for them.
How do you pronounce “oblige”?
“Oblige” is pronounced uh-BLYJ (/əˈblaɪd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “oblige” in a sentence?
Here is “oblige” used in a sentence: “The contract obliges the tenant to pay rent on the first of the month.”
What part of speech is “oblige”?
“Oblige” is a verb.
Where does the word “oblige” come from?
The word “oblige” comes from Latin. From Old French obliger, from Latin obligare, from ob- + ligare ("to bind"). A doublet of obligate.
Is “oblige” a common word?
“Oblige” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “oblige” have?
“Oblige” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to require someone to do something, by law, duty, or circumstance.
