oblige
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
to force someone to do something because of a law, a rule, or a duty.
to constrain someone by legal, moral, or social necessity. Often used in the passive voice.
Simple“The new law will oblige all companies to report their carbon emissions.”
In context“The terms of the contract oblige the tenant to maintain the garden to a professional standard throughout the lease period.”
UsageCommonly appears in the passive form 'be obliged to do something'.
PitfallThe law obliged to them to pay. The law obliged them to pay.The verb 'oblige' is transitive and takes a direct object before the infinitive; do not use 'to' before the person.
- 02 C1 Advanced
to help someone by doing what they have asked you to do.
to perform a service or favour for someone, often in response to a request.
Simple“The shopkeeper was happy to oblige when I asked for a smaller bag.”
In context“When the diplomat requested a private audience, the ministry was more than happy to oblige to ensure the negotiations continued smoothly.”
UsageCan be used intransitively, as in 'happy to oblige'.
Synonyms - 03 C2 Proficiency
to make someone feel that they owe you thanks for a favour.
to place someone under a debt of gratitude for a service rendered.
Simple“I am much obliged to you for your help with these heavy bags.”
In context“The professor noted that he was deeply obliged to his colleagues for their insightful critiques of his early drafts.”
UsageMost common in the polite formulaic expression 'much obliged'.
Synonymsindebt
“Brussels officials are concerned that many public agencies think existing EU rules oblige them to choose the cheapest bid when spending public money, which can lead to the contract going to a non-European firm.”
“They tell him to make a hot coffee and, even though he has started to make a cold one, he drops his head and sullenly obliges.”
From Middle English obligen, from Old French obligier, obliger, from Latin obligō, obligāre, from ob- + ligō. Doublet of obligate, taken straight from Latin.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.