Word
obligation
Phoneticsobli·ga·tion
US/ˌɑbɫəˈɡeɪʃən/
UK/ˌɒblɪɡˈeɪʃən/
Definitions
01a duty or requirement
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. something you must do because it is your duty or because of a law.
n. a social, legal, or moral requirement that compels an individual to follow a particular course of action.
日本語:義務※
“The company has a legal obligation to ensure the safety of its workers.”
“Citizens have a moral obligation to assist those in need, even when no specific law mandates such intervention.”
Usage
Often used with the verbs 'meet', 'fulfill', or 'honour'.
Pitfall
I have the obligation of help him.
I have an obligation to help him.
The noun 'obligation' is followed by the infinitive 'to help', not 'of helping'.
Synonyms
02a legal contract or debt
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Law Formal · Technical
n. a formal agreement or a debt that you are required to pay.
n. a formal agreement stipulating a specified action or payment; often refers to the document or the financial debt itself.
“The bank reviewed the borrower's financial obligations before approving the new loan.”
“The defendant failed to meet his contractual obligations, leading to a significant lawsuit regarding the unpaid debts.”
Usage
In financial contexts, it frequently refers to bonds or fixed-income securities.
03feeling of gratitude
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Formal
n. a feeling that you should do something for someone because they helped you.
n. a state of being indebted to someone for a favour or service rendered.
日本語:恩※
“He felt a sense of obligation toward the mentor who helped him start his career.”
“Having received such generous support during her illness, she felt a profound sense of obligation to give back to the community clinic.”
Teaching tip
This sense is often expressed through the phrase 'under an obligation' or 'sense of obligation'.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “obligation” in context.
Verb
01. feel an obligation to help
“Many people feel a moral obligation to help those less fortunate than themselves.”
verb + noun + infinitive
02. fulfill an obligation
“The company failed to fulfill its legal obligation to provide a safe working environment.”
verb + noun
03. meet an obligation
“He had to take a second job to meet his financial obligations.”
verb + noun
Adjective
04. legal obligation
“You have a legal obligation to ensure your car is properly insured.”
adj + noun
05. binding obligation
“Once you sign the document, it becomes a binding obligation.”
adj + noun
06. contractual obligation
“The singer had a contractual obligation to perform at least twenty shows a year.”
adj + noun
Preposition
07. under an obligation
“I don't want you to feel under any obligation to stay if you're tired.”
prep + noun
08. without obligation
“The shop offers a free consultation without obligation to buy anything.”
prep + noun
Real-World Examples
“Under the new arrangement, Egerton was under no obligation to spend more than the minimum on production.” “Another official familiar with the matter told Al Jazeera that Hamas and Kushner met in the town of Alamein “with the objective of translating the roadmap’s obligations into concrete, verifiable steps”.” Etymology
From Middle English obligacioun, from Old French obligacion, from Latin obligatio, obligationem, from obligatum (past participle of obligare), from ob- (“to”) + ligare (“to bind”), from Proto-Indo-European *leyǵ- (“to bind”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/obligation
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0