adjective
Common
obliged
uh-BLYJD
Obliged (adjective) means Required to do something. Example: “Passengers are obliged to wear seat belts throughout the journey.”
adjective
1
Required to do something.
"Passengers are obliged to wear seat belts throughout the journey."
"I felt obliged to stay until the meeting finished."
"By law, employers are obliged to provide safety equipment."
2
Grateful for a favour someone has done.
"We are very obliged to you for looking after our cat."
"She was deeply obliged to the neighbour who lent her a ladder."
"I'd be much obliged if you could send that file today."
"I'm greatly obliged for your help with this problem."
How to use obliged
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither required to do something, or thankful for a favour.
When to use it
"Much obliged" is a slightly old-fashioned, polite way of saying thank you.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more obliged
- Superlative
- most obliged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Passengers are _____ to wear seat belts throughout the journey.
Etymology
See oblige. Compare obligated.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “obliged” mean?
The word “obliged” means required to do something. In plain terms, either required to do something, or thankful for a favour.
How do you pronounce “obliged”?
“Obliged” is pronounced uh-BLYJD (/əˈblaɪd͡ʒd/ in IPA).
How do you use “obliged” in a sentence?
Here is “obliged” used in a sentence: “By law, employers are obliged to provide safety equipment.”
What part of speech is “obliged”?
“Obliged” is an adjective.
Is “obliged” a common word?
“Obliged” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “obliged” have?
“Obliged” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: required to do something.
What is the difference between obliged and obligated?
Obliged and obligated are close synonyms, both meaning required to do something, and are used interchangeably in most contexts. Obliged is generally preferred in British English, while obligated is more common in American English, though both appear in each variety.
What is the difference between obliged and grateful?
Obliged can mean required to do something, but it can also mean grateful for a favour someone has done, as in "much obliged." In this second sense it functions much like grateful, though "obliged" often signals a slightly more formal or old-fashioned register.
Is much obliged still used today?
"Much obliged" is a polite, somewhat old-fashioned way of saying thank you, expressing that you feel grateful for a favour. It is still understood and occasionally used, especially in formal or courteous speech, though it sounds more traditional than a simple "thanks."
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